Day 68, Jun 16, 2011

Signs of rainy days:

Although this is an indoor shot, one would wonder what are these umbrellas doing? Well, based on what I observed, I would say that they are drying (whew - almost said dying here, imagine how radical a meaning change one omitted letter can have?) hence their being opened and placed side-by-side indoors.

Obviously, for this to happen. one can infer that it must be raining outside... a and that would be a fair assumption too.

So whay take the picture? No real reason... I just wanted to capture the contrasting colors of these two umbrellas. I would have included other umbrellas as well - but the shot would look too cluttered with the background... hence cropped background and a more close up and simple color and pattern focused shot. Yes, Virginia... sometimes, my shots are simply about the mundane - shown in a mundane way.

Day 67, Jun 15, 2011

Door Chimes: 

 I took this picture against a rainy backdrop - not using any flash, to get a feel of the seemingly somber mood that this day seems to bring. I mean, shady - rainy... and really... its the embodiment of what proper bed weather is.

I wanted a semi silhouette going, that's why you can still see the light reflection on the chimes themselves - but aside from that, it's all mostly black. 

Beyond the chimes would be the pattern of the screen door, and further beyond that- the fire wall at our place. So what should normally be a mundane picture, is actually a multi-layered photo. Had I been able to, I would have wanted to capture the rain droplets to serve as another layer before the wall.

Of course, its hard enough to capture rain - unless you take it in a sweeping manner (the background suggesting - or showing the effect of said rain), or if it is not - I've yet to fully study the nuances of taking such a shot.

Oh well... nto exactly going back to the drawing board for this... on the plus side - those walls really aren't picture worthy - so the addition of the patterns make it more interesting.

Day 66, Jun 14, 2011

Progress:

You might be wondering why this picture of Buffy just curling up beside the Wii mattress and Barbie's flip flops (Haviannas? Not too sure of this spelling - oh well) can be connected to progress.

It's simple really - if we can turn back the hands of time, say... about  months back - Buffy would be in the middle of chewing either the flip flops or the mattress by this time. The fact that she isn't is already progress by way of her behavioral conditioning - in other words, she learned her lesson about not just chewing stuff - and in the process, damaging a lot of things.

Some of Buffy's handiwork can still be seen in our place - one leg of the TV stand, the coat hanger's let, one corner of the sofa - and these are just the items we did not (or cannot) throw.  There were times when Barbie was determined to ship this dogie out to far away Batangas (and she even took a vacation wiht the kids in Cavite last summer). I always explained to Barbie that this was just a phase - but there were days I was hard pressed to defend Buffy too.

So yeah - seeing her just lying there... not bothering the flip flops or the mattress - that, my friend, is progress indeed!

Day 65, Jun 13, 2011

In Bliss:

At least, that is what seems to be the case here with Bubbles as she sleeps soundly.

With the cooler - rainy season upon us, Bubbles seems to have regained her fur's thickness and shine - as opposed to her heavy shedding during the hot days of Summer - a time when she also seemingly lost a lot of weight.

Anyway, things seem to be back to normal with Bubbles - in fact, I don't think it's just thicker fur either... after all, she does seem rounder and heavier - so I would have to surmise that she really did gain pounds - and not jsut because of more hair either.

Day 64, Jun 12, 2011

Back with a Vengeance II:

Yeah... what can I say, more comics. From a long drought, to having a lot of comics in less than two days in between. Come to think of it, I still have to start seriously reading the previous batch I got - and now this comes along.

Normally, I'd say I have the weekend to read through them - but these weekends are now a bit tight... so I will just have to find time to squeeze my comic book reading options. He he... younger me would flip at the fact that I can't find time to read comics. Then again, younger me would not have had the spending capacity to get these many comics - so I don't mind living in the now. Anything special about this particular batch? Yup... I got the Vampirella and Scarlet Legion comics (I'll always be a Vampi fan). Plus the Iron Age is also entertaining... hope the level of interest is sustained in the latter issues of this time traveling story.

Day 63, Jun11, 2011

Barbie's new toy!

This was something I was planning to get Barbie as early as her birthday - the only problem being it ran out of stock, so I had to think of an alternative then - not so now.

This, ladies and germs, happens to be the Wii Fit. It's basically the board (the one Barbie is standing on),and a CD compete with fitness related programs or games (like Yoga) - and with that, I get to finish my planned workout program for Barbie, while I get to use it as well - time-willing.

But really, it's got a lot of nice and interesting games - I personally tried some yoga, the golf swing practice and even some skiing slalom. Not taking it for granted either... as it did give me a sweat. So yeah... I look forward to some fun - and if I get fit along the way... well, even better, right?

In case you're wondering what the special occasion that warrants my gifting her with a Wii Fit could be - it's just our 17th wedding anniversary. Neat huh?

Day 62, Jun10, 2011

Back with a Vengeance!

At least, that is how this picture of my newest addition to my comic book collection feels like. So why so long before another picture of comics (not counting the trades I got), simple - I was to busy to pass my friendly neighborhood comic shop to get my regular stash... hence their stacking up.

So what's new with this pull list? Most of them are part of two event cross-overs, for DC there is the Flashpoint, which will serve as a catalyst for change in the DCU. Marvel, on the other hand, as embroiled in "Fear Itself" - and between the two,  it seems like the Marvel story is more dramatic - with exception to the need to have lots of hammers, this story does keep us wondering.

So what's wrong with Flashpoint? I dunno... aside from the fact that it smacks of Alternate present due to something done (Age of Apocalypse anyone?) I find the stories have less connection to me as a fan. Oh well, we'll see.

Day 61, Jun 09, 2011

Trade publishing:

Had you asked me about a few years ago if I prefer to buy comics as they come out - or prefer to get them in trades, I would have readily said 'comics', and I would even say that there's no real value add to trades - well, except for the fact that you have the story in one sitting (although there are trades that have multiple releases, so even that is not always true).

Flash-forward to today... specifically my post-Ondoy (i.e. heavy flood waters typhoon), and you ask me that same question, and I would say I appreciate them both - though perhaps the comics still win out a little due to the fact that trades are normally months - if not years behind the current story.

Aside from the fact that trades - specially the hard-cover types, turn out to be better protected, thus more durable and have better quality paper than when some of the stories they reprint have, I better appreciate them because they allow me to re-collect the stories (at least, the really good ones) again.

Take for example the two trades at the bottom of the picture - both written by Roger Stern in the '80s, and definitely story arches I liked back then. Yes I had the comics, but the flood did damage them. Now, with these trades out, I get to enjoy the stories again. Oh yeah... and no need to worry about comic book spine damage either.

One other benefit of trades... those stories you missed - maybe because you had limited budgets and had to forego a title or more (like Superman)... well, these trades give me a second chance to get them. So yeah, I'm getting fond of these trades. As it is, I've probably got around 20 of them already. Will I - at a particular point in time, just opt to collect trades and forego the individual titles coming out on a monthly basis? Three years ago, I would have said that such was an absurd idea. Now? I might give it some thought.

Day 60, Jun 08, 2011

U2K2 gift:

One perk for being part of this project is the gifts that come with it - case in point, the Swatch watch that we were all given (and mind you, there were easily  more than a hundred of us) - at least, those that helped in making Gate 3, testing, a great success.

Since this came in different colors, I decided on the almost black like midnight blue with green highlighted hour ans minute hands. I mean, the other color close to green was more olive drab in color - and though I like that color too, I don't see a Swatch used for military-like activities - hence I did not get said color. Now my initial option for this was to use said swatch, but when I tried it on it seemed to be too - young a design model for me... so I decided to give the swatch to Bryce instead.

Glad to see he uses it to school - though I sometimes wonder if he tells time with it, or he just whips out his cellphone and look at the digital time display.

Again, I'm still stuck with why this picture isn't in its proper orientation (I wanted it to look in a portrait orientation, but for some reason, the picture was not cooperating - and i could not find any instruction on how to do it from the side).

Day 59, Jun 07, 2011

Home work:

This view shows my Accenture computer and my personal computer opened side-by-side, on the folding table which I set-up for my work-at-home experience.

I honestly do not like doing this too much, as I try to protect my non-work hours... specially mu home hours = not just for myself but for my family as well.

I mean, we hardly talk during weekdays, specially since I come home late - and differing interests likewise eat up our attention (e.g. Bryce and Bernice are focused on their online communities, and Barbie may likewise be brining home some work), so I look forward to any opportunity to talk with them - and said opportunity will never push itself to the fore, if I'm seen as too busy to notice such opportune moments. So yeah, this picture... is an avid reminder of what is happening to me, though thankfully, not all the time. I need to really defend my life equation in said 'work-life balance'.

Day 58, Jun 06, 2011

Duck and Driftwood:

No I'm not in any exotic location - that is, unless you consider the Greenbelt chapel's pond to be exotic. Yes, this is just one of several ducks that have made the pond their home - sharing the habitat with some turtles and lots of fishes.

Naturally, since I brought my camera, I tried capturing some nice shots of the duck. Problem was, it was also high noon - or something close to it, and the water's glare was just too much. I had a lot of overexposed shots, and had to adjust a lot before I could even get a relatively decent shot. But it did not end there, either. I had to do some post-prod for this work. The result being a very bright duck on a ripply water surface, and the duck is counter-balances with the driftwood - which I liked to have for an aquarium - though I don't have one that will fit said driftwood's size. Oh well... it's free to dream, right?

Day 57, Jun 05, 2011

Reading materials:

This is my new additions to the Syyap private library - Carte Blanche - a new James Bond novel (and a modern one at that... unlike the other one 'Devil May Care' which was more Iron Curtain style), and the hardcover version of Batman-Planetary. A nice little cross-over about cross-overs, which is apparently the usual fare of the Planetary.

This picture also showcases my new pair of glasses - you see I could not find the old one, so I had to replace it... a cost I did not prepare for - but lucky for me, I have this project that offers me more money to afford such sudden expenses like that. Ah well... if you notice, I decided to have a strap placed, that way this will just hang on my neck, and I need not misplace it - at least, that's the general idea.

Once again, I'm playing with black to see if many black items can be discerned just by the light reflecting on them. No... I am not using any studio lights either - just the usual incandescent bulb on the ceiling.

Day 56, Jun 04, 2011

Dragon boats:

It seems to be the new cheap form of healthy, sporty living on the weekend (at least, it's what I saw on this Saturday morn). It's called a dragon boat, where people paddle on both sides of the boat - but you only use one paddle.

Naturally, precision timing and coordination is important, hence you normally have someone either shouting or beating a drum, so you all can coordinate your rhythm and have an optimizing effect with the boat's acceleration. All you need it proper coordination and your paddle. The boat, of course, has to be a given - but people form groups and practice at the Manila bay early morning. I mean, this photo was taken roughly around breakfast time (8am). What was I doing at the bay area? I had brought Bryce to school, and decided to wait for him while I enjoyed breakfast at Starbucks.

By the way, I used my telephoto lens to take this... that way, I need not have left the inside of Starbucks while clicking away. Cool environment, and great pics - coupled with wonderful coffee and a sandwich. Yeah... that's the life.

Day 55, Jun 03, 2011

60 days and counting...

Okay, it officially becomes 60 days tomorrow - but since that happens to be a Saturday, we all decided it was better to celebrate now, while everyone was around. Today was also the day we sort of celebrate the closure of Gate 3 - and we even had some give aways to celebrate the moment.

Notebooks (apparently spare ones - but nonetheless, still very useful - and of good quality I might add), small pillows - for those who really need to take a nap in between exhaustive work and we even got to choose a swatch watch. How about that?

I mean, aside from the jersey, the t-shirt (although one size small for me since they ran out of shirts my size) and a small towel when I first joined, we now have these. This is really a project that loves giving - and I'm not complaining either.

It also happens to be a project that loves celebrating, hence the  karaoke microphone on standby - just in case anyone would like to sing. I had to take a picture of the mike, with the U2K2 countdown as its background. Looks like no one took the challenge though - well except for one.

I took this picture without a flash to see the background clearly... giving the mike that golden hue.

Day 54, Jun 02, 2011

Birthday tradition:

Yup, that's Barbie blowing out her birthday cake's candle - which will simply symbolize the blowing of many candles, as the cake may turn into a fire hazard like mine almost did.

That said, I decided to have the symbolical candle, rather than just get the number candles (in which case, anyone seeing the picture will recognize that as her age - personally, I don't mind), or - heaven forbid, get individual candles which might pose as a problem as we would try lighting all those candles.

I shall keep my wife's dignity by not mentioning her age here (for fear of reprisal later on - he he he), and just wish for long life, health, wealth and happiness - so I and the kids can likewise share in the blessing.

Happy Birthday Twitart! And yes, even the dogs have their names inscribed on the cake... just to show you how closely knit a family we are. After all, their names likewise begin with the letter 'B'.

Day 53, Jun 01, 2011

Release 7 training.

It's a bit technical, but this training was to prepare people for the Intensive Care process, which is about - oh... two months from now. Now you'd think that this is still so long a time, but mind you - the days seem to move faster, as the countdown approaches.

That being the case, this training laster for tow days - covering a myriad set of topics for many people in different walks of the project's life.

Yeah - I just wanted to capture this for posterity,,, a reminder to myself that this was approaching the 60th day milestone - and as I was taking this, I was also preparing the project's milestone documents. It will get arduous as we come closer to Go Live, but I hope our professionalism and patience as well as our propensity to see humor in a lot of things, will carry us through these stress-filled times. Here's wising us all good luck.

Day 52, May 31, 2011

My new pets:

Yes, that is a shrimp... specifically, a cherry shrimp (due to its color, naturally), and this lady is familiarizing herself with her new surroundings - how do I know it's a her? Elementary, my dear Watson - if you look carefully, you'll see a yellowish substance by it's middle... and those happen to be shrimp eggs.

The focus is a bit off... so I can't say this is my best shot - but when you're trying ot capture life, it becomes difficult to do so without a tripod - and well, by the time I set things up, I may miss the opportunity to catch this shrimp. So I make so with what I have, and get what I can.

Oh yeah... that blue and red blur? That's a cardinal - so if you're familiar with said fish's size - that should give you an idea of just how small my shrimps are (I bought 10 of them). Hope they live long and multiply.

Day 51, May 30, 2011

Our favorite spaghetti:

Funny thing is, even if its a staple for us - a regular item we always order when we go to Amicci, I still can't quite remember this dish's name - what comes to mind is Seafood Spaghetti cooked in Olive Oil - and the servers get what I mean after I describe it.

Of course, their menu shows a picture of it as well, so I can likewise point to that. Or... on rare occasions, I do remember what its called and order the White Vongole don't even know if I spelled it right - as I rely on phonetics to spell it. But yeah... white - representing the olive oil, as opposed to red (tomato sauce). If you pass by and do decide to stop in an Amicci restaurant, you might want to give this dish a try. I always do whenever I go there.

Day 50, May 29, 2011

The Birthday Boy!

Yeah, this is Bryce - though I'd hazard a guess that he's not really thinking here - just sleepy as he waits for us to finish having our nails cleaned.

You read me right, I indulged myself with Bernice and Barbie in a parlor to have my toe nails properly trimmed and cleaned. I mean, let's face it, I sometimes find myself too busy to do these things myself - and while we're at the mall, why not just indulge with the parlor doing the cutting and cleaning for me, right?  Yeah, right!

By the way, as of this picture, Bryce becomes Sixteen - yup... it's his birthday, and we did come from lunch in our favorite spaghetti and pizza place Amicci.. and after a heavy meal, well I felt we had to walk around - and walk we did... that is, Bryce and I walked.

We went to Virra Mall to check on a possible Wii Fit gift I planned for Barbie - no such luck, as the Wii Fit I saw a week ago had been sold. Ah well... so back to the parlor and right there and then, decided to have my toes done... leaving Bryce just waiting on the side of the parlor. As for me... I had bought a few comics in the shop before returning here, so I wasn't bored at all. Oh yeah... nice coincidence - this being Bryce's birthday and my blog's 50th entry. How cool is that, huh?

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Day 49, May 28, 2011

Wacky Family?

This happens to be a picture of  my family while we were waiting our turn in the doctor's office. You see, we were there to see the kids' doctor since... well since he was their pediatrician. Wow... imagine that. We've known him for roughly 16 years (Bryce's age tomorrow), as he tended to the kids' vaccinations.

Doctor Regalado has helped keep the kids healthy - but what keeps us going back to him - and trusting him, is is obvious rapport with his patients. I noticed that as Bryce was the seemingly troubled pre-teen whom I was having some difficulty reaching, just a few inspiring and encouraging words from their Tito Joseph, almost brought tears to Bryce. I wonder if he is truly the inspiration for Bryce to want to take up medicine? Something tells me that's a sucker bet.

Anyway, this just shows how wacky the situation can get - and I'm glad I had the camera to capture such a moment.

Day 48, May 27, 2011

Moisture due to rains and aricon:

This was a very cool day - for starters, it was raining all day, next was that I was in a restaurant where the Aircon was relatively strong and focused on said window.

I got attracted to the obvious clash of differences- how it was wet outside to the restaurant's inner dryness, the weather's coldness to the restaurant's cold aircon - yet warm lights.

Needless to say, this contrast may - or may not appear in the picture, and I doubt you'll appreciate the differences - but at least, with the window showing the moisture.. and the shady image in said window; one can get an idea. This picture is straight forward. Minimal or no post-editing.

Day 47, May 26, 2011

Master Yoda:

This little statue was being sold in Fully Booked and with it came the little background that you see in the picture - but what you don't see is the little book of Yoda Quotes that is hidden in a special compartment in said background.

Normally I wouldn't just get such statues, but let's face it... Yoda has a special place in this Star Wars' fan's heart ever since Empire Strikes Back - which, by the way this particular Yoda portrays - not the younger version many people saw in the prelude episodes.

I still think Empire Strikes Back is the best Star Wars film made amongst all the six... even if it looks kinda dated - effects-wise. Why so? I guess it's because we witness the desperation of the Alliance, the strength of the Empire, and the Determination of the story's heroes. I mean, it could have had so many things going against it... for one, the movie does not end the story right there - and we're all left waiting two years before finally witnessing Return,,, an okay film, if it were not for all the teddy bear looking Ewoks. Nope... if you remove the Ewoks part, then Return might have turned out to be a whole lot better.

Anyway, I used my flashbulb here - thus giving Yoda some harsh light. I was hoping to balance it out via post production editing, but I could not remove the brightness of the cloth seams to make it look more natural. Another lesson I still have to discover.