Day 076 Jun 23, 2012

Fred's Birthday:

It's nice to see friends in between our respective busy schedules - and this night is no exception. Fred invited us to have dinner with him -  his birthday treat, and we went to Robinson's Galeria, meeting a few friends while the dinner was happening.

Since opportunities like this happen rarer than I like, it was really a treat to be able to meet old friends and hang around. Sure, it wasn't like we could party all night - or as loud as some old parties. No drinking of alcohol too, after all... I'm sure we've all got other stuff to do the next day... and despite her smile, Bernice wasn't really feeling too well. Oh yeah, and of course, Fred and his girlfriend - Clorian, still had jobs to attend to. Nighttime work... another thing that makes these get togethers more difficult. But the bottom like of working too hard? Forgetting what the date is and accepting work - thinking the get together for today was for tomorrow. Yes, that happened here too. He he he.

Day 075 Jun 22, 2012

Gingerbon!

This little chewy candy is a heaven send when I have training. If you can imagine ginger brew in the form of a candy, you can imagine how this candy can help people like me when we have to talk for hours.

Fred introduced me to this, and I try to make sure I have a few with me whenever I do have training (like today), more so if such training has a lot of talking points (like today!). As Fred made me realize this candy's existence, I have also given my co-facilitators a candy specially when I saw them struggling with their voices. They end up liking the candy, and I won't be surprised if they, too, bring this along whenever they teach.

Day 074 Jun 21, 2012

Few and Far Between:

That is how it seems for our training these days. Whereas I would normally have an almost full month of conducts in the past five years, the past year was more prone to having just two weeks of training on a good month. Nowadays though, it seems that a week is all I get per month.

Thus, training like this - Test Design Fundamentals, is a welcome (even if it is just a day) change of pace from the days of inactivity. I don't mind being able to help my family by driving for them, but I need to still be able to contribute to my share of expenses... and situations like this are a challenge for me (and the rest of the team). Its also a wake up call.

Let's leave it at that. I don't feel any need to explain further.

Day 073 Jun 20, 2012

Active Workers:

Whenever stories or tales of ants are mentioned, it usually is their being active that is emphasized... and I'm not surprised. Their seemingly every busy movements; their coordinated efforts to get things done... to rummage, search then store food. It's no wonder the ants have become symbolic of the hard working individual.

Well, I spied a few ants and decided to try taking pictures of them. I wanted to work into getting a closer picture of them... possibly get more details. Unfortunately, the day I found these guys happened to be a cloudy (if not rainy) day. So I was hard pressed to get shots of them more clearly - without using my camera's flash.


I ended up using a technique I seem to be able to adapt to quite easily... I opted to get their silhouette as they marched down from the tree trunk. I used my telephoto lens to get closer - without getting closer. What came out was a rather nice shot... lacking in details - but still detailed enough to show how their antennae really looks (with joints and all). Maybe next time, I will use my flash and really get a detailed view of these guys.

Day 072 Jun 19, 2012

Sun bathing:

For some reason, Bubbles loves to stay under the sun. I don't know if it's because she instinctively knows she needs it (for some reason). She would also just belly flop - like she is doing in the picture, and watch people come in and out of the apartment's long garage... and if she sees strangers, she will bark. That said, she acts as a regular alarm and a deterrent to thieves.

Buffy, on the other hand, is the brave one - charging anyone who is not part of our immediate family... though she is already becoming used to people who live in this apartment compound - you could say, that Bubbles is rubbing off of her. The two of them love the garage (specially when there are no cars parked) as this affords them a playground, and an exercise area. I would like to see the day that I can afford a larger place where we can stay... and where our dogs can run free and exercise all day (safely, of course)... and yes, bathe under the sun as long as they want.

Day 071 Jun 18, 2012

Mommy:

Whenever we have the chance, we try to make sure mommy gets out of Cavite and visits us (together with Jude and Ben) for the weekend. Sometimes this visit extends longer than just the weekend... which is fine by us. After all, keeping her distracted is what we want so she'll not think too much and get lonely thinking of Dad.

In line with this, we also try to bring her to Greenhills for the usual parlor, shopping and eating sessions (like what this picture is showing). In this particular case, we're eating at BonChon Chicken at the Promenade - although she and I both ordered fish fillet at this particular juncture. It still is an enjoyable meal, and if I were not watching my weight, I'd like to eat two orders of this.

This picture captures how happy Mommy is - and I'm glad for this (as I'm sure Barbie is too). There are plans for selling the Cavite property, in which case, Mommy can live with us. Many men find living with their in-laws intolerable... not so on my part. I'm lucky to have a very understanding mother-in-law - and even while I was still courting Barbie, and when we were already going steady, I always felt Mommy's welcoming me to their home. I appreciated that - and I continue to love and respect her for it.

Day 070 Jun 17, 2012

Skype's wonders: 

This picture shows Jude, Barbie and Mommy using my laptop to contact Jude's mom, Bea via Skype. It allows for video communication with nothing but the need for an internet to get this done. 

It may not be able to totally replace the difference of having each other physically in the same room - but it allows for a more constant way to communicate, even if we're oceans apart. This is specially important for Jude, as he needs to know who his mom is. At this age, he can get easily confused, and he does need the constant love to be shown - if not physically felt. He still can get confused as to who his mom is... more so since he also lacks a father figure to imprint on. Bea will need to constantly remind him of who his mom is.

Until Bea can find a more permanent way to be with Jude, however, Skype will prove to be an invaluable tool to keep them communicating. We can help offer Jude the needed familial ties... but he has to be clear on who his mom is.

Day 069 Jun 16, 2012

Dad's Birthday:

It's the first time Barbie and her family are experiencing dad's birthday without him. Naturally they miss him a lot, and to sort of alleviate their loss, a birthday get together for his was planned in Manila Memorial... and those who could go within the immediate family, went there to spend some time together and have lunch.

I had the option of going elsewhere, but decided to go join Barbie, Dict, Mommy, Ben and Tonette in this little get together - cum celebration. All the while, I took pictures of them and our surroundings - so this was a definite exercise in photography for me. Everyone appreciated the picutres... and we got to share it to those in Dubai. I used my telephoto lens for most the time. But even with this lens, I had to take a few full group shots - which meant I had to move back. My close ups were really great though, and can be seen in a Facebook album I created for the occasion. 

Day 068 Jun 15, 2012

My New Flash!

This is what my Dubai family got for me as a gift. It was something I asked for - hoped to get, but did not expect to receive so soon. Still, I'm not one to turn down a gift like this! The wrapper had the message that this was a Christmas gift - I won't mind at all. 

When they come here - as I've been told they would be arriving for a visit come July and August, I will put the flash (and my camera of course) to good use - to show them how much I appreciate this gift, and to let them feel some payback with great pictures I hope to take. Yeah... now that I've got this, my next project will be a remote for the flash... this way I can mount this on a tripod and let it act as a remote flash -  when I click my camera, it will flash... if I can save up to get at least one more of these (and the necessary remote and tripod) even better.

Before I do all that, though, I'll need to prioritize getting new rechargeable batteries (and a charger) for this. I hate buying and throwing batteries - it can turn out pricey. 

Day 067 Jun 14, 2012

Tracker - the ebook:

I've been a fan of James Rollins' Sigma Force novels since Fiel introduced me to one several years ago. Since then, I have collected his Sigma Force novels and enjoyed reading their adventures. It's been almost two years since the last Sigma Force novel came out - and I've not read any adventure of Commander Pierce for that long.

Rollins also started introducing the practice of offering mini-novellas in e-book format sometime before his last book came out. Back then it centered on one character and gave a backgrounder on how she (Seichan) came about getting something which was later introduced in the story.

Now, with the release of Bloodlines (the new Sigma novel), another e-novella has been released - this one, given to fans for just 99 cents as a sort of  special during veterans' day. It introduces two characters to us (the readers); namely Captain Tucker Wayne and his partner Major Kane - a Belgian Shepherd (similar to a German Shepherd). Both of them are, apparently, great at tracking, retrieval and extraction (hence the title 'Tracker'). I don't know about others, but the characters connect with me - it makes me fondly remember Hunter, my own German Shepherd some years back.

As a bonus, the e-novella also has with it the first two chapters to the new book. Though it is also available in ebook format, I would prefer still getting a physical copy of Bloodline. Meanwhile, I am enjoying Tracker with my Starbucks cafe latte, while waiting for Barbie to finish a meeting.

Day 066 Jun 13, 2012

A

Detailed Design:

This is actually the first class I have for June, and it happens to be just a day to cover for Fiel who can't be around for the first day of said course. It being close to midpoint for the month - that is worrisome.

To be fair, I was offered a class last 11th - which coincided with my family's only summer vacation, so I declined. After all, how often would such a vacation happen?

Now... this course is something I have not handled since... well, sometime last year (I think), and I really had to review a few things. Anyway, aside from the fact that I had Francis as a partner here, Fiel will be taking over in day two. So no problem. I just had to do a quick review. Thing is... I lose interest in giving more than minimal effort because I know I won't be around to finish the training.

Day 065 Jun 12, 2012

Self-portrait:

Used to be, that would mean either a painting or even sketch drawing of the artist - of themselves as subjects. Well, what do you call the picture of a photographer where said photographer is the subject of the picture? Same thing, right?

I know... I've had several of these shots already in the recent past - but this is a look I would like to preserve (the goatie with a slight mustache; which when put together is called the Van Dyke) before it goes. It also is a shot of me in action... holding the camera - taking a shot. So why a self-portrait? Because I did take this shot with a mirror.

I'm just glad the mirror has no warp... or that it isn't dirty. Lighting is coming from the window, and I had to lessen the brightness a bit, but otherwise, this picture is untouched.

how long will I keep the look? Maybe a month... maybe more... maybe less. But at least, I got this shot to preserve my serious look.  After all, if not for mirrors, how would I know how I look in front of others when I'm behind the camera? Yeah... Project 365 suggests the blogger include pictures of him/her self to preserve their look. This is just that.

On a different note - today is the Philippine's independence celebration - whoopee! Though I'm not really in a celebratory mode. It also happens to be a mini-milestone for this blog. 65 days done... 300 more to go.

Day 064 Jun 11, 2012

Eighteen Years and going strong:

It's been a fun journey with Barbie... we've two great kids sharing our lives, we have our health, and our family is basically intact. Few people these days can say the same.

But wait... this is basically 18 years of marriage. Add to that another seven years of being together (and earning enough to pay for our wedding) and we're actually 25 years together... Wow! Although, technically, the 25 years will be on the day she became my girlfriend, which isn't too far a date either.

With God's grace, I hope to spend at least another 25 years, preferably more - with her. Happy Anniversary Twitart! Thank you for all the love, patience and understanding... oh wait, maybe you should be the one saying that, right? He he he.

Day 063 Jun 10, 2012

Swimming!

It's been ages since I swam regularly... college days to be precise. So by ages, I actually mean decades ago. There was a time I would have crossed the pool several times - pacing myself. That said, I have not really forgotten my moves - but my body is much heavier than before, and not in as great a shape.

Still, just for show, Barbie wanted to see me swim and I showed them a few - like the free style, breast stroke and the butterfly (which I'm barely doing in this picture - but doing, none the less). Just like riding a bike (which I was really good at as well, by the way), I knew how to move to show a decent enough sample of such moves. It seems like my kids will need to learn how to swim better - and then we'll have to concentrate on making Barbie learn how to swim too... He he he.

Day 062 Jun 09, 2012

Family Time:

The idea was Barbie's and it was also because she had been gifted a free overnight accommodation in EDSA Shangrila Hotel. So, she availed of it - plus another day (so we'd only pay for a day), and we four went to enjoy a lazy weekend in Shang.

Now... one of the things we did was to pose this way, so we could relive an old photo - further making me realize that the last time we did a family vacation was several years ago... in Hong Kong. Why so long a wait? Unintended really... I mean, there have been plans - but for some reason, they don't pan out. Well we made sure this one did (after a delay - wherein we were hoping to do this during Barbie's birthday). So what did we do? For the most part... enjoy the hotel room and just snooze... and we also enjoyed the pool.

Day 061 Jun 08, 2012

Bryce and his Archery lessons:

Last time (around last week) I mentioned that I got Bryce into this by way of buying four online certificates for one hour lessons each at half the price. I initially got two... but after a minute, decided to get two more, as I felt that two sessions might not be enough to learn - or if he did learn, it would end too soon with just two lessons.

This was meant to be his 'summer' activity (aside from his brief stint at Speechcraft - basically two sessions too; see what I mean about the experience being not enough with just two sessions?) Maybe it was because of the recent movie with the female lead - a teen being able to survive with the help of archery, but I think Bryce was really looking forward to this.

This is also in place of the aborted Fencing lessons we hoped he'd be enrolled in, but was late to join. So at least, we can honestly say that this summer did not go wasted without him learning something new. So how did he do in his first lesson? Not bad... today's lessons were all about basic discipline, stance, grip and aim. He even got the attention of Tim Bismark, the manager of the place - who gave him a few tips and stance adjustments. Me? I liked watching and taking pictures. I also opted to get a target pad, so we could look at his shots in a post-lessons talk - but more importantly, also to see if he has any progress between weeks. I would consider this his metrics... something I learned the importance about, when measuring improvements, in my years at Accenture.

Day 060 Jun 07, 2012

Bo's Coffee at Resorts World:

This is actually the second time I went to this coffee shop (no Starbucks nearby), and the reason I'm doing this is to wait out the time before I head on out to NAIA so I can fetch Mommy, Ben and Jude.

They're back from a two-month Dubai vacation, and needed to be fetched with the van. So here I am, waiting for about two hours before I go closer. Why do I like staying here? Two words really... Free WiFi.

While here, I am able to check in on my FB account, monitor my email and read an e-book... or even a physical book for that matter. After all, I had every intention of staying here and passing the time, and I did not want to really explore the place, as it's been constantly raining the day before (though not so today). I got my permanent Resorts World membership ID as well, so I did make the best use of my time here.

Day 059 Jun 06, 2012

Inbound flights:

Whenever I bring Barbie to her office, I double back the service road of the South Super Hi-way to drive towards Nichols - and said service road is intersected by the inbound flight path of any plane to NAIA.

Every five or ten minutes, one gets to see a sight like this - that of a plane coming in for a landing... crossing the high way before it goes for it's touch down.

My dream has been to be in the exact middle of when a plane is coming in, and I could then capture it's approach with my camera. It hasn't happened yet, as it really is a coincidence of luck and timing to do so. Still, this shot came a bit close to that... and I can still see the belly of the plane from where I was... I definitely captured the landing gear deployed. But yeah... directly under while taking the plane's picture. Maybe next time I'll be lucky.

Day 058 Jun 05, 2012

Starbucks in Eastwood:

Yeah, it seems that I've been going to Starbucks with more frequency these days - this is getting to be a bad habit. But the reason for my being here today is because Barbie has a meeting somewhere in Libis and Eastwood is the closest hang-out place for me to wait.

I went with Bernice here, as she wanted to look for a possible gift for a friend's birthday - and she asked me. It was a cute moment when I told her I was the wrong parent to ask about what teen-aged girls would want. Plus I did not have too much cash on hand to help her choose a bit more freely (she decided on a cake with the budget I gave her).

So what was it about taking this picture of Starbuck's wall? For starters, I liked the black granite-like look of the wall. The rough, yet shiny finish which is then somehow contrasted or superimposed by the different coffee posters. I took this angle to show the 'spot' lights with the intent of taking note how such a total effect can be done. Who knows? I just might want such a wall in my future home - although the posters may very well be comics' based, rather than coffee products based.

Day 057 Jun 04, 2012

Afternoon at the Harbor:

Since I helped bring Barbie to an afternoon meeting; and had to wait for her, I had some time (roughly about an hour) to kill. So I decided to look for a place to hang out in while waiting - and I didn't need to search too far and long, as I already had Starbucks in mind... the one by the harbor.


So I went to Harbor Square and ordered my green tea frapuchino while wondering what to do to spend my time. I read my book and I enjoyed the view. Of course, since I had my camera, I decided to take a few shots of the harbor with the intent to stitch them together and coming up with a landscape picture.


Unfortunately, it was not enough time to wait for the sun to set and possibly get a more dramatic shot, as I had to fetch Barbie way before the sun went down. That will be a project for another day.

Day 056 Jun 03, 2012

Pecan pie:

Ever since I've watched some episodes of Enterprise (the prequel to Star Trek), I've always been curious about wanting to taste Pecan Pie. I think I tried it once... though I can't really recall how it tasted back then - I can't even recall where and when I first tasted it, but I know I did because when I was watching Enterprise, I thought yeah, that would taste good... but to describe it as food for the soul? Well... I don't know.

Today though, I found a place to try it out. So should I find the craving for Pecan pie, or for other types of pies as well (their apple pie is great tasting too) I can simply drive off to Banapple in Greenhills.

A bit of trivia... apparently, when we went to Banapple, I was, apparently, the only one who did not know of it. Barbie did... Bryce knew of it too, and naturally, so did Bernice. Makes me wonder why I was not introduced to it until now. I must be living wrong.

Day 055 Jun 02, 2012

Barbie's birthday:

According to her, it's the 20th anniversary of her 26th birthday. I just shake my head, after all, it's her birthday, so I just let her have what she wants and say what she wants to say. Such as said in jest, of course... and that is one of the things I like about her - she loves putting some sense of humor to situations... an important trait, mind you, in a stress-filled world.

This picture is something she has been badgering me about for some years now... in my process of taking certain pictures, she has asked me why I have not yet taken a macro picture of her yet - sometimes even complaining that when I take pictures of others, my pictures look better on other subjects - be they people or things... at least, as when compared to them.

Well hopefully, this picture will lay all those complaints to rest - here is a macro shot of Barbie looking great against a macro background (meaning a blurred background). This was taken with my telephoto lens, and will most possibly be one of the pictures I will blow up and proudly display at home some time this year. I've basically gotten a macro shot of her... now I need to do the same for my kids and hopefully, for me as well. After all, I want to display all these pictures of my family... this time, being a macro shot series.

Day 054 Jun 01, 2012

Bryce takes up archery:

Summer is when I hope my kids take up something new, something that can make them a better person than last year. Now this need not be just a summer thing, it's just that summer - specially the summer break, is when they have a whole lot more free time to do these things.

For example, just as Bernice was taking up Hip Hop Dance, Bryce was supposed to try out fencing - but for some reason, we could not get our schedules right, so fencing went out the door (there's always next year). Then I got him to tag along in a Speechcraft - and he was doing fine, but the Spewechcraft program got canned... frustrating, but what can I do?

Now it's archery. I got this idea when I found an online deal - 50% off the usual 1 hour training session for archery (it originally costs Php600 per session), so without batting an eyelash I got two - and after batting a few more, I got two more - for a total of 4 sessions. So, Bryce has four sessions for learning and getting a feel for archery - later when he feels that he likes it, he could continue the lessons - though it will now be on the regular price... or, as I vaguely recall, there might be an archery club or P.E. in La Salle... after all, it's a school whose symbol is that of an archer. So yeah... here's to Bryce having his lessons. If I'm free to accompany him, I just might get a few more pictures.

Day 053 May 31, 2012

Colleagues:

We're in Fish and Co.; an eating place within Greenbelt 3 for a free lunch and meeting with Malou, in line with how Accenture's recent actions have adversely affected us - so yeah, it's a nice thing to know that despite all that's happening we can still smile... and I wished there was a better reason for the gathering.

Still, it's because of the company that we can still smile. After all, aside from being just plain colleagues - we are friends. This situation is - hopefully temporary, and I do hope Accenture gets it's act together real soon, but yeah... I'm tired of getting the short end of the stick for others gross negligence or poor plans. Much as I like training and the company I keep, this is a simple but clear message. I need to find a way out and make my own path. My friends will always be there... but I don't really care for helping a company that does not value training so much.

People who say training isn't a priority are always looking at short term fixes... never long term solutions - and we will always have this problem, as long as people think short term. It's ironic, because the people in this picture are great at what they do (yes, with all humility aside, myself included). There are others who are not in the picture, but who I can likewise consider to be part of said great resources.

So yeah, we'll smile... because it takes more effort to frown.