On the way to...

2012-01-23T14:13:00.001+11:00

"When you lose someone, it feels like the hole in your gum when a tooth falls out. You can chew, you can eat, you have plenty of other teeth, but your tongue keeps going back to that empty place, where all nerves are still a little raw."

- Jodi Picoult, House Rules

Joy

2012-01-07T02:01:00.003+11:00

Reading this today (on Boxing Day):

"We do not live to eat & make money.

We eat & make money to be able to enjoy life.

That is what life means & what life is for.

And joy, is after all, the end of life."

- George Mallory on the sheer joy of climbing Mt Everest.

Sitio Remedios @ Barangay Victoria, Currimao, Ilocos Norte

2011-10-10T20:27:00.000+11:00

Just another entry to a place I want to stay and visit... one of those 'old' village resort.

I 'discovered' the place by reading Twits by CC, I Googled and in the process end up in a blog, called 'No Doors'.

Photography & 'Pulping the past'

2011-09-05T20:53:00.000+10:00

"It gets on my nerves when people seem to be so intent on filming everything [ouch] on their mobile phones. I just wish people would experience it and be in that moment," the former Pulp key player Jarvis Cocker says.

"It used tobe when you went on holiday you'd see families where the father couldn't interact with anyone, so he'd stand there with the video camera filming the whole holiday and you'd think: "What a sad character." Now young people are doing it - its bad. They're becoming middle-aged before their time." The idea of a performance being a one-off appeals to Cocker [Pulping the past by Kylie Northover, SMH 13-14 June 2009].

"Cocker says having something that lingers only as a memory is better, as it changes over time.

"It gets altered in your brain, by your perception, whereas if you've just got a crappy, hand-held phone footage version of it, it brings it all crashing down to earth, [I guess, without the benefit of rose-tinted memory - fading and in the moment of how you experience & remember the event.] you know what I mean?"

Hot in the saddle: Bangkok on cycle, boat, etc.

2011-09-05T15:27:00.000+10:00

"Mount up as Russell Gould [mX 24 Feb 2009] risks life, limb and noodle on two wheels through the streets of Bangkok.

"It's a five-hour exercise with lunch thrown in and that's no ordinary sandwich shop. You dine at a canal-side[Bangkok afterall is the "Venice of the East"!] restaurant that would seat less than 20 where the cooks are also the waiters and a chat with them, while they cook, is just good manners.

"A bike tour of Bangkok is an expedition through the nooks and crannies Indiana Jones would struggle to locate, far away from the digi-brigade. Don't try to work out where you've come from, where you've been or where you could possibly be going next.

"That's a mystery not worth solving. Just keep your eyes on the road, and your balance, and enjoy a different Bangkok."

http://www.covankessel.com/ Co van Kessel Bangkok Tours.

Mudgee Wine & Food Fest: 9-25 Sept 2011

2011-09-02T08:45:00.000+10:00

Goodbye winter, see you next year again!

2011-08-31T16:23:00.000+10:00

Iconic Santorini

2011-08-30T14:25:00.001+10:00

Been privileged enough to travel, see & experience this wonderful & extra ordinary place - a place created by volcanic explosions & now a peaceful caldera. No wonder; that according to local sources - and you can see the evidences; that most affluent inhabitants would have a family chapel of their own! I guess it is best to be closer to God - commune with Him at close range all day long and not be bothered with trekking the mountainous terrain. And this is what these blue-domed and white washed buildings are - some of the iconic images of Santorini. [Others are the view of the cliff houses overlooking the caldera; the sunset at Oia, one of numerous districts in Santorini]. But more than that, the small village atmosphere of the place, untouched & unaffected by the thousands & millions of tourists. The people are friendly and welcoming and the local produce are second to none [our favourite are the Santorini tomatoes - small but sweet & very tasty; and the wines! Must be the volcanic soil around these parts].

Ones @ Barcelona

2011-08-20T18:00:00.000+10:00

A sculpture by Andreu Alfaro seen on the way to travels in Spain...

"The path of Andreu Alfaro since his initial beginning to the middle of the 1940's until today is of an engaged artist with his space and materials, but even more so with the concept of time. He approaches art by creating tributes to exempt personalities of past culture, signifying the interpretation of the present without renouncing the past, as well as to historical memory and tradition."

4 Aug 2011 Late afternoon... winter.

2011-08-05T13:47:00.002+10:00

Everyday I am shuffling...

2011-05-24T19:46:00.004+10:00

Kawasan Falls, Cebu

2011-05-24T19:45:00.000+10:00

This is another viewpoint from a picture from Amazing Places To Experience Around The Globe [via FB]:

In the stillness...

2011-04-16T01:41:00.000+10:00

In the stillness of the night

I come to you.

In the stillness of your breath

I kiss you.

In the stillness of our solitary love

We are made one...

A bike @ The Quay

2011-03-15T00:57:00.000+11:00

Op Retro Antique Shoppe

2011-02-28T23:14:00.000+11:00

@ Australia St near the corner of Hoffman Lane

Negros Getaway

2011-02-28T17:13:00.000+11:00

"Nestled 154 kilometers south of Bacolod City lies one of Negros Island’s best-kept secrets. Punta Bulata White Beach Resort and Spa is a tropical hidden paradise that truly reflects the laid back lifestyle of the opulent sugar barons of Negros Island. Enjoy one whole kilometer stretch of white sand beach in privacy and exclusivity as you spend quality time with your friends and family.

From native Filipino nipa-hut cottages to luxurious spa rooms, guests at Punta Bulata Resort are able to choose from a wide variety of accommodations that are all just a few steps away from the beach. Step into Capiz-shell doors and garden bathrooms, take in the fresh ocean breeze, and wake to the call of orioles at The Ayu Spa at Punta Bulata, where twelve unique spa guest rooms await the weary traveler in search of a comforting temple of relaxation.

Punta Bulata Resort is known to have one of the finest and whitest beaches in Negros Island, comparable to those of the popular island destinations of Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, and Palawan, and its waters are teeming with marine and coral life. A mere 10-minute boat ride from Punta Bulata Resort, Danjugan Island Marine and Wildlife Reserve is a small island surrounded by coral reefs as diverse as the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Aside from having some of the best diving sites in the Philippines, day trips to Danjugan Island also allow you to enjoy several other outdoor adventures and activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, trekking, and bird-watching."

I think this will be on my list after watching this on a travel show. The bonus is I can travel to Bacolod City for it's culinary attraction, up north to Talisay City & Silay City for their heritage mansions and old ancestral homes.

The Blues

2011-02-20T22:21:00.000+11:00

Today, the 11th of February

2011-02-11T03:02:00.000+11:00

'You won't have the North Node in your sign for that much longer so now is the time to make the most of it. And what, you may ask, are you supposed to "do" with a North Node? OK, well this little astro critter is the one who has been pushing you oh-so forcefully outside of your comfort zone for the past few years. If you've taken a blind leap of faith and you're already starting to feel better for it, then you can thank the North Node. And if you haven't? Then as Tony Robbins would say "You must". What are you really capable of?'

From behind the yellow line.

2011-02-05T12:31:00.000+11:00

Jazz resting

2011-01-28T23:42:00.000+11:00

Sometimes you're just lucky... especially if you have a camera with you to capture that special moment. Being in the right place & at the right time. Caught this sax busker taking a breather at Sydney's 'The Rocks' - totally unposed & drive by opportunity!

Image info - iPhone 4 Hipstamatic 190, Kaimal Mark II 'lens' un-retouched.

PS. The guy reminds me of Kramer from that sit-com show, Seinfeld.

Reading an anti-feminist...

2010-12-01T11:31:00.000+11:00

... article and why the roles of men & women are getting "screwed up" due to an ever changing expectation of the roles that men & women 'should' play.

I remember coming from a 'macho' culture [Philippines] to Sydney in the mid-eighties; 'gallantly' giving up my bus seat to a young lady only to be stared at [no 'nothank you' just a cold stare]! One of my first tastes of feminism... from then on I only offer my seat to pregnant and old ladies [making sure they are pregnant or old enough to appreciate my chauvenistic gesture!].

Excerpt from Josephine Asher's "Confessions of a young anti-feminist."

""As a 29-year-old single woman, many of my peers don’t appreciate my traditionalist views. I’d rather dodge a flying pair of high heels thrown at me in anger than pin a man under a pair of mine.

Feminism has achieved victories for women, but could it be at the expense of femininity, chivalry and attributes of the opposite sex that instinctively attract us to each other?

In his book The Way of the Superior Man, David Deida describes attraction between the masculine and the feminine as “sexual polarity”, referring to varying degrees of strength and vulnerability.

“This force of attraction is the dynamism that often disappears in modern relationships. If you want real passion, you need a ravisher and a ravishee. Otherwise you just have two buddies who decide to rub genitals in bed,” he writes."

Read the lively comments as well...

Reading Leibovitz

2010-12-01T10:01:00.001+11:00

Hopefully I can go and visit Annie Leibovitz's photographic exhibiton during the Christmas break. Below is an excerpt on Ashleigh Wilson's take on Leibovitz [at The Punch].

"In her book, Annie Leibovitz At Work, she tells how she came to reluctantly accept the truth about some of her subjects: some people just have an innate sense of charisma.

Nicole Kidman is one. Johnny Depp and Cate Blanchett are others. Marilyn Monroe, definitely.

This week, ahead of a retrospective exhibition in Sydney of her work, Leibovitz laughs when asked about the elusive art of being photogenic.

"When I was younger I used to think they were lucky to be in my photographs," she said. "But then of course as I got older I guess I was lucky to be taking their picture."

Her show, opening at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday, contains a deeply personal series of images. It’s called A Photographer’s Life: 1990-2005, and it takes us far beyond the glamour and beauty of Hollywood."

Steve Tucker Lesson

2010-11-30T14:39:00.000+11:00

"Lying uses emotional energy."

This was me saying: "Society you always have ripped my dignity away as soon as I attain it. I've had enough. If you're threatening to totally cut off my balls, I'm fighting you tooth and nail for what's left. I dare you. F---ing bring it on."

During the period of time before I sent that message on Facebook to the first girl I mentioned, I realised how cold and empty I was inside and how isolated my disability had made me feel. I wasn't giving any warmth to others because I wouldn't let people get close enough to me. I thought I was a man and didn't need anybody to lean on. I had minimised my torment and pushed it down. This is why I never spoke about my disability.

What I learned from this is that if you're lacking something on the inside, you need to give it out to others. Even if it isn't returned in kind, it will make you feel happier inside.

I felt like I had to do what I did. Otherwise, skydiving would be forever tarnished and my mates would constantly refer back to Olivia and make me feel like shit.

-------------
I am a person that is different from the majority. I look at the world differently. I've had a different life with much adversity thrown in my path from a very young age. I listened to what other people told me I was worth. This shaped me into a very timid adult.

I have been going through a personal transformation the last three months. I learned that I was an unhappy person inside with many demons I had not come to terms with. Thus, I started a process to face these and kill them off.

This revolves around me living my life as honestly as I can. People are too unsure of themselves today; especially men. I've had enough of peer pressure and the media stereotypes brainwashing males into submission. I'm as loathing of it as you are.

--------------

These messages had controlled me for long enough so I threw a punch at it. Society is cold and most people have to always wear a mask. This disgusts me.

People want acceptance but they aren't doing anything to get it. Instead, they walk around staring at the ground, unsure of themselves. I injected some warmth back into the place.

--------------

My story is not about "Romeo & Juliet", it is about every kid being bullied in the school yard. It is about teenage kids committing suicide because they feel worthless.

It is about people dealing with disability; those who cannot communicate their suffering and the families that care for these people tirelessly.

It is about telling peer pressure to go f--- itself. It's childish behaviour and it impacts our adult lives in ways we don't see.

It is about gender stereotypes (both of them) and social conditioning. It is about mental health and getting help if needed.

It is about telling people what they mean to us while life is good. Not when a personal crisis hits. Tomorrow isn't a guarantee for any of us.

It is about standing up to society and illustrating that it has lost its way. We live in a culture of fear. Society had dimmed my spirit for long enough.

I didn't expect to get in the news, Sam, but the fact is I have. This has been my journey. I have dealt with all of these elements. I have endured this and come out the other side.

I'm telling my side to stop the bullshit and telling disadvantaged people: "You can win. I am proof of this. But you must have a go to give yourself a fighting chance at a happy life."

There are no shortcuts. Happiness is not handed to you. Capability is developed by simply having a go. If you're "outcome orientated" you won't do the things you really want. If you believe in something enough, go and get it in the right way.

Excerpts from Steve Tucker email to Sam de Brito & was published on Sam's blog.

Song in my head: Stay the Night

2010-11-30T11:38:00.002+11:00

Wish list: Bantayan Island, Cebu

2010-11-08T16:45:00.002+11:00

It seems there is no shortage of islands to go to in this 7,000 plus islands... Bantayan is one of them near the northern part of the island of Cebu.

To get there, here is a direction from Wow Bantayan web site, from Manila, fly to Mactan Airport in Cebu, take a taxi or bus to the City of Cebu north terminal and take a 2.5 to 3-hour bus going up north to the port of Hagnaya and then a 75-minute ferry to the port of Santa Fe on Bantayan Island.

-----------------

Post wish: A colleague at work who from Cebu said that there is a very much better attraction south of the island... so I'll most likely plan for a tour of the whole island of Cebu!

But how about Sorsogon from this blog...

Red Album: Chicago, America: 5 Nov

2010-11-05T12:13:00.001+11:00

Am crossing out another must see bands on my list: Chicago and America with Peter Frampton to boot in one concert tonight. I was a bit worried because it was raining, but found out the Big Top venue at Sydney's Luna Park is a covered auditorium. So wish me luck for a great night out!

Below is a spiel of what is coming and info for those young enough not knowing these iconic bands:

"...America, Chicago and Peter Frampton will now play two (2) shows in Sydney this October, with the second show taking place at the Big Top Sydney within Luna Park on Friday 5th November.

Grammy Award winning group, America, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary as a band this year are excited to perform a mix of greatest hits, such as A Horse With No Name, Sister Golden Hair and You Can Do Magic plus selected songs from their plethora of recorded music for their Australian fans.

"We are excited to be returning once again to Australia, one of our all-time favorite places to play! Touring with our old friends, Chicago and Peter Frampton. We are presently celebrating our 40th Anniversary as "America" and the show will highlight songs from our 1st album to the present, and where possible include an acoustic set and video enhancement. We will perform all of our greatest hits, as well as selected songs from our forty years of recorded albums. We look forward to bringing our music back to Australia this year!”

Chicago will headline alongside America who have a lifetime of achievements include a Grammy Award, multiple American Music Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Record sales top the 100,000,000 mark and include 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive Number One albums, 11 Number One singles and 5 Gold singles. An incredible 25 of their 32 albums have been certified platinum and the band has a total of 47 gold and platinum awards. The line-up on tour will include original band members Robert Lamm on keyboards, vocals, Lee Loughnane on trumpet, James Pankow on trombone and Walt Parazaider on woodwinds, as well as Jason Scheff on bass, vocals, Tris Imboden on drums, Keith Howland on guitar, Lou Pardini on keyboards, vocals and Drew Hester on percussion.

“We are really stoked about our upcoming tour of Australia. We are happy to bring our very best music, including '30 plus' of our biggest hits to the Aussie audiences. Our band has never looked or sounded better!” Robert Lamm, speaking on behalf of Chicago.

Also touring in Australia with America and Chicago is the legendary Peter Frampton who remains one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history. Fans can look forward to hearing Frampton’s biggest hits such as, Baby I Love Your Way, Show Me The Way and Do You Feel Like I Do. Peter Frampton released his new album, Thank You Mr Churchill in Australia on the 9th July through Shock Records. Thank You Mr Churchill is Frampton’s first collection since his innovative Grammy-winning instrumental album, Fingerprints.

"I can't wait to get back down under and visit with my Aussie fans and play some oldies as well as some new music. It's been too long and I promise to make this a habit for the future. It will be fantastic playing shows with Chicago and America” Peter Frampton."

Redang Island, Malaysia

2010-10-17T00:12:00.000+11:00

I've been reading this mX article: Red hot Redang, obviously a play of words on rendang, the Malaysian dish. Apparently a developer will turn this island into a more upmarket and for wealthy resort with accommodation not costing less than AU$500.00. So the mantra is 'Go to Redang while you still can!'

Where: Redang Island, is a about an hour's boat ride from the capital Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.

This is not a pristine off the beaten track island, but similar to a more commercialise resort island like Boracay.

Mirage: a conversation in poems.

2010-09-10T17:46:00.000+10:00

"The sunset is overrated. The colors, the atmosphere, it all gives you an illusion of how sadness is beautiful; that in that beauty, the sky grieves with you; that you aren't alone. But that's all it is: an illusion. After those minutes, you're bathed in darkness again." - Ike Tilly

-------------------------------------

"...a darkness which the stars and the brightly shining moon will illuiminate with haunting beauty...I'd love a sunset to introduce that..one beautiful sight after another...a lot to celebrate in this world... Gigs Patanao

-------------------------------------

‎"The darkness brings a sweet silence where you can see and hear your soul..." Nanette Imperial Wood

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"Twilight, the hushed moment as a mother starts her lullaby of gazing stars and wispy clouds. Nighttime...the way, our baby-minds starts our journeys to infinity then back to daybreak finite worlds." Bernadette Wolf

After a while....

2010-07-15T21:50:00.000+10:00

After a While
By Veronica Shoffstall

After a while you learn the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul,And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and
company doesn't mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats with your head
up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult,
not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if
you get too much.
So plant your own garden and decorate your own
soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring your
flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure...
That you really are strong,And you really do have worth.

Catchy tune stuck in my head...

2010-06-16T15:12:00.000+10:00

Feather duster

2010-06-03T00:28:00.000+10:00

'Feather duster' - Will clean your woes away.

Info: Taken whilst inside a car on the way to Intramuros. This is a typical scene in Manila depicting vendors selling all kinds of things from flower leis [mostly Sampaguitas or jasmine] to binoculars!

Manipulated on an Apple Mac using iPhoto.

Waylaid

2010-05-05T16:18:00.002+10:00

Yep, you can say that I was waylaid on the way to this blog... I haven't been updating for months considering I have so many photos to post and experiences to share.

But I must confess that in order to survive my 'addiction' to blogging, I am substituting my addiction to Facebook. I find that FB is more interactive & suits a busy lifestyle, with mini-blogs [or if one wished, the notes provide a blog-like space & capability] and quick postings & response from one's readership [if there's any!]. The only thing is; because of the so many traffic old posts are buried into net black hole! It's like normal conversations that you don't worry about keeping tabs of what was said by who & when... unlike blogs' comments and emails.

I have reconnected with a captive audience [Heheheee...] as well as old friends and acquiantances. They post their pictures, I get to see them and vice-versa. The best thing is I can use my mobile [cell phone] phone to update & post what I am thinking or feeling at the time. But I still miss blogging. I am sure I will be back again [actually I've been running a couple of BloGazines for organisations I belong to - great way to have a free net presence!]!

Note about the image: No, it's not me that flagellating myself. On the way home from Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan; we saw this guy self-flagellating after the traditional cut-off time of 3 PM.

Another link for Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, click here.

Support Earth Hour 2010: 27 March 8:30 - 9:30 PM

2010-03-25T23:52:00.001+11:00

Earth Hour

Sydney screenings: A Prophet

2010-02-04T11:36:00.000+11:00

Malcontent: 3-13 Nov 2009

2009-11-03T13:52:00.000+11:00

Garden and Cosmos for $8.00

2009-10-28T20:46:00.001+11:00

"Experience the splendid colour and inventive style of 17th to 19th century Indian painting, created for the private enjoyment of the maharaja and his royal court. These paintings reveal the palaces, courtiers and families of the Jodhpur rulers and their luxurious court life. Also depicted are Hindu deities, epic adventures, meditating gurus, yoga practices, cosmic realms and celestial worlds."

All for AU$8.00!

Light the Night

2009-10-14T21:00:00.000+11:00

Face painter

2009-10-12T19:37:00.003+11:00

Done & Dusted: 17-25 Sept

2009-09-10T21:08:00.000+10:00

Attention Seekers

2009-09-09T20:49:00.001+10:00

Twittering our own trumpets [by Amelia Harris, mX, p 5 - 4 Sept 2009]

Our love affair with social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, is turning us into narcissists, a new research reveals.

A poll of university students reveals that more than 50 per cent believe their friends use Facebook, MySpace and Twitter [not to mention blogging sites!] for self-promotion and attention-seeking.

Two-thirds of the 1068 students interviewed by Ypulse and Associate Prof Jean Twenge of San Diego State University [California USA] said they thought their generation was the most narcissistic ever.

Twenge said students weren't afraid to dish the dirt on their friend's self-centred habits.

"Students are right about the influence of social networking sites - research has shown that narcissistic people thrive on sites like Facebook, where self-centred people have more friends and post more attractive pictures of themselves." she said.

But social media expert Dr Jason Wilson, of the University of Wollongong [in NSW Australia], said it was imporant not to generalise.

"Some people use it for career advancement, some to keep in touch with family and some just to muck around," he said.

Wilson said his observations of Australian university students using social networking sites, specifically Twitter, showed they wanted to "point to interesting things on the internet, converse and muck around."

"It may not be about showing off and being narcissistic, it may just be a desire to engage with other people and have fun," he said.

-------------------

For me, networking sites provide the basic of most human need - to socialise, to interact with fellow human beings. In a busy world that we live in, what better way to connect but via the internet and mobile/cell phones?

These two technologies have revolutionised the way we interact with each other. Even in third countries like the Philippines, "texting" and messaging have created a new form of communication, with its own slangs, abbreviations and mores.

To paraphrase Graham White, it gives us individuals power to shape our own destiny: our own individual activity gives us the power to shape our social experience and perspectives. Instead of the traditional role of socialization - of society and institutions creating the individual.

This generation have the advantage of these two intertwined technologies to leave their mark on society and future generations: individuals creating norms. On the way, we tend to muck around, advertise ourselves and have fun! What's wrong with that?

What is your experience and motivation in using MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, Multiply and blogging?

For me, to network with like-minded individuals, not necesarry my "friends"; but more of acquaintances, old and new. Reconnecting with old mates, relatives and in the process either rediscover old friendships or create new ones. This is so exciting and I can do it in the privacy of my office, home or even while commuting. In the end, if I meet a friend it is all worth it the effort of typing in a small and tiny keyboard!

Light the Night 2009: 16 Sept

2009-09-03T09:30:00.005+10:00

Not just another fund raising but a fund raising to help find cure for blood disorders!

Jaylen's website is here, to donate, please click here; and we are part of this team.

We hope to see you at Paramatta Park on the night of the 16 September, Wednesday.

Also, see Jim Paredes' daughter, Ala's post here. For those in the Philippines, please help.

Installation art @ Deitch Projects NYC

2009-08-21T16:13:00.002+10:00

I love NYC... I don't know exactly why... maybe the vibrancy of the place and the people. Seen this installation art project by the Black Acid Coop on Hobo Gestapo, did a bit of Googling and presto; all these info and images about this NY art scene. So even if I am on the other side of the globe, I did manage to get a glimpse of Deitch.

To tell you honestly I don't get it - yet, but the installations look amazing and intriguing; a little bit artsy and off the scale for me but obviously I need to find and read more info to fully appreciate this art form. If I don't get it at all... we'll I've tried.

Melbourne Writers Festival: 21 - 30 Aug

2009-08-20T19:48:00.001+10:00

From this

2009-08-12T23:58:00.001+10:00

Dinoplant

2009-08-12T23:51:00.002+10:00

Handheld, no flash: F/5.6, 1/60 sec, focal length 18mm. cropped

After a game of soccer...

2009-08-11T00:57:00.003+10:00

... mucking around while queing for a jumping castle.

For Corazon...

2009-08-07T23:45:00.002+10:00

"All alone" Handheld, no flash, focal length 250 mm, F/5.6, 1/250 sec exp, spot metering, no post editing.

a mother, wife, former President, friend, patriot; but above all - a great human being. Your name says it all - you are the "heart" of everyone you have touched!

Spring cleaning

2009-08-04T22:22:00.001+10:00

FB, lifestyle and dementia

2009-07-30T10:50:00.007+10:00

A little bit of a background/intro, a high school friend sent these 20 tips to do to add to brain health [I don't know why to us her high school batchmates - maybe because we graduated 35 years ago?]; and below are my responses:

I guess I do almost half of these on Facebook... bwahahahaaa.... Thanks Neng!

Seriously, being on email and FB gives me more opportunities to socialize more [albeit online or virtually], especially with friends and acquaintances that are overseas and interstate.

1. Join clubs - FB is sort of a Club, isn't it? Plus I got plenty of Yahoo Groups...

2. Have a hobby or two - FB and blogging, and the occasional photography.

3. Practice writing - Try typing updates/comments using your non-dominant hand/fingers using a teeny tiny cell/mobile phone keypad!

4. Take dance lessons - Ok, I am watching "Dance your Ass Off" and "Dancing with the Stars"; does that count? Plus, on our new TFC: ASAP and Wowowee...

5. Gardening - Well...errr... I think I do that when I take snaps of flowers, leaves... etc.???

6. Walking daily - I definitely do that - from the house to my car and from the car to my work building... ohhh... plus I do walk to the shops to buy my morning coffee AND back! Seriously I do take the stairs but I guess that is not enough.

7. Read and write daily - Need I say more? FB and emails.... surely these counts!

8. Start knitting - Ok, I am stumped... this suggest using both hands to work out both sides of the brain... would typing on normal keyboards AS WELL as typing on those tiny cell/mobile keypads count?

9. Learn a new language - Ok... no sweat... sms/txt talk is a new language. Plus I got this FB buddy [Jovit, you know this is you! Thanks bud, got me going again with my Spanish!] who usually post in Spanish and sometimes in Latin [I kid you not, just add me to your FB and I'll show you! Nosebleed daw.]. And plus those who post/update one another in various Pinoy dialects.

10. Play board games - Ok, I still refuses to accept invite to play Mafia Wars, FarmVille, Mind Jolt, etc. Maybe I should eh? But I do play Spider Solitaire, two suits!

11. Take classes throughout your lifetime - Blog hopping, email forwards, FB updates - if those aren't real life classes, what is? Not to mention Googling and Wiki looky...

12. Listen to classical [and other] music - I got MP3 but not iPod, but my radio is blaring the whole day, tuned to my fav radio station.

13. Learn a musical instrument - Ok, now I need to look for an app online for my hand-me-down Nokia E71, failing that I need to upgrade to an iPhone!

14. Travel - Now, we are talking. I love to travel - most of the time in this virtual world of TV, books and other reading materials and on the net. Occasionally I do get to travel for REAL. I know, a trip to the grocery and mall doesn't count! BUT it could and should; doesn't it?

15. Pray - Ok... mmmm... I think I've done quite a few - especially those who doesn't add me on FB or leave comments on my blog. Plus that difficult photo shots that I really wanted.

16. Learn to meditate - aum...aum... seriously I need to take some time off blogging, FB, emailing, TV, etc. Maybe a quiet time somewhere... communing with nature - with my camera perhaps.

17. Get enough sleep - Now, there's a problem... I am getting old and am wanting to prolong my time by not sleeping!

18. Eat more foods with Omega-3 - Ok, food I love... no problem there.

19. Eat more fruits and vegetables - More food, again no problem with that. Does a schooner of beer counts? Or a glass of wine? They are made from fruit and vegetables you know!

20. Finally - Eat at least one meal a day with family and friends. With a big family and friends, that is not a problem. Actually I am doing that for the last couple of weeks, almost every week there's a birthday in the family, invite from friends and acquiantances for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. even wakes! Again food is not a problem with me, much less eating and enjoying the company of friends and relatives - why do you think I am on FB and Geni?

BB revolution: a remnant message on a hand-me-down phone

2009-07-29T17:50:00.003+10:00

" Steps to the train station platform." Nokia E65

"Fellow BB users... I have seen the light and want to bathe in its goodness...

I said to myself today "I can be in the dark no longer for the shadows that hung over the analogue vs 5110 days will surely come to pass again.

I can no longer stand and wait for the other boys to tell me what the live footy scores are on the weekend, I can no longer bare not seeing these scandalous photos of Charles ala Lindsay Lohan self-shots..."

I look at my phone on each of these occasion and the only words I can muster is an incoherent babble "What is this, this what? I can not jiggy with this sh1t!!"

So like a faithful adolescent suicide bomber, I come to join the revolution!

Kind regards,

Gerald"

Winter leaves '09

2009-07-28T18:17:00.004+10:00

"Everybody's a photographer these days..."

2009-07-26T14:47:00.003+10:00

Samsung F480 mobile phone camera: F/2.83 - brightness -30, contrast +40.

"How often have you heard that lately?

It's a digital age for a digital page.

Log on; blog on; its dog eat dog on -this planet of photography. [Which doesn't have to!]

If it's so available, so common, and apparently so easy, does that mean everyone can be good at it?

Do good tools make good work, or is it the eye behind the mind that is really speaking through the picture in front of us?

What are you saying?

Did you say it first?

Are you saying what someone else said before in a new and refined way?

Are you saying the same old shit as everyone else?

Are you saying nothing, just watching the wheels go around and around?

When you go to places that no one has seen, it opens your eyes.

When you open your eyes to places that people always go, you see a place that is always there but its new again.

When you stare at your computer all day - what does it really do for you?

Get out of your house and go on an adventure.

Shoot film.

Shoot digital.

Shoot yourself.

Shoot something.

[This magazine is printed on PAPER.]

Hopefully it inspires you to take and make some photos of your own."

Words: Mike O'Meally, p12 [Sorry Mike I have to steal these words... so true and so apt!]

State of mind

2009-07-26T13:05:00.002+10:00

Sometimes my state of mind reflects my book/magazine purchases... I found these in my local bookstore's sale bin; while not necessarily the latest prints might be good to excellent reads:

Chasing Cool: Standing Out in Today's Cluttered Marketplace by Noah Kerner & Gene Pressman

Indonesia: Countries of the World series [I was eyeing the Morocco one, but someone beat me to it!]

And my favourite find; which I paid full price: Monster Children issue 23.

Aside from Chasing Cool, the other two has lots of pictures... now you know why these reflect my present state of mind/mine! I love gawking at images....

Life of Staff

2009-07-23T20:48:00.001+10:00

Sydney Night Life

2009-07-23T00:11:00.003+10:00

Kayna and John

Been reading my daily dose of MX... a free paper popular with train citizens...

"Night antics caught on camera by photo collective Hobo Gestapo, a group of friends dedicated to taking snaps of Sydney after dark. And the concept has now gone global"

Carlito said "It started as just a few of us running around Sydney and photographing nightlife and concerts and now it's become a complete documentary chronicle of Sydney."

The collective has expanded to other cities, and there are nine photographers in Melbourne, Brisbane, Paris and New York. "All of our photographers know each other in some way, they're all friends of friends of friends," adds the 25 year old Carlito.

All photos are uploaded as a series on their website: "We like people being able to access our work and it fits in with our belief with copyright... We want people to be able to use our work for free."

Also see Wrigley's website: http://www.5gum.com.au/

Some words/info quoted from MX article by Henry Budd. The photo is mine.

Let me in!

2009-07-21T22:09:00.002+10:00

Taken when I attended one of my grandson's first day in school. This toddler looks like she wanted to start school early... can't blame her - with all the fun activities happening around her.

I actually love to shoot candid pictures, mostly of relatives and kids. Partly to record the moment, for I know how fast kids grow and I am sure they appreciate photograps when they were so innocent looking and cuter!

Monkeying around

2009-07-20T06:26:00.003+10:00

Just love the antics and the bright red colour background of these kids, who happen to be my grandkids...

Waiting for coffee...

2009-07-19T13:21:00.003+10:00

A study on built-in colour swap feature on a Canon IXUS 860 IS, hand held, available light: F/2.8, 1/60 sec.

P 62, par 5 - O Alquimista!

2009-07-18T11:57:00.002+10:00

":that there was a language in the world that everyone understood...

"It was the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose,

"and as part of a search for something believed in and desired."

"When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it..." - an old King.

St Mary's on scaffolding

2009-07-17T19:05:00.001+10:00

Morning walk

2009-07-16T19:08:00.003+10:00

On the way to an early morning walk at my local park... a bit cold but not too cold. The scene reminds me of pine trees in Baguio.

[Hand held, available light, a bit of cropping: Canon EOS 450D - F/16 @1/45 sec.]

On the way to...: Hunter Valley Vineyards

2009-07-16T00:02:00.001+10:00

On the way to...: Hunter Valley Vineyards

Sign of spring

2009-07-15T23:31:00.004+10:00

Taken with my old and trusty Olympus digicam - FE220 [F/3.5, 1/800 sec, focal length 7.4mm] taken last March 2008 at the Hunter Valley NSW. No post manipulation or cropping - no flash, just available light.

This is a favourite hand held shot, really close up of these bees savouring the nectar off these stigma or filaments gathering on the petal. This is actually late summer and not spring [down under this hemisphere!]. But it does evoke spring... I am just harking for this cold weather to go away... and to cycle this weather back to warmer clime!

Here is the original post.

I love this guy...

2009-07-14T13:13:00.006+10:00

Photo by Clark Little [as if I can take a photo like this!]. More pictures here.

I meant Clark Little, Hawaiian local, surfer and photographer.

My son-in-law, Charlie; who knew I love photography sent me this email [I am sure it is in the email circuit now...] of several photos of Clark Little, taken mostly on the north shore [Waimea Bay] of the island of Oahu.

This guy loves surfing, and also his wife; who wanted a "nice piece of art" to decorate a wall. Clark grabbed a camera and took some shots while surfing and the rest is history... as we would say.

Here's a Good Morning America interview:

I'll settle for diamonds...

2009-07-06T22:03:00.005+10:00

Yes, I didn't win the AU$106 million or so Oz Lotto prize... hence I am back [instead of my ghost writer!], and I am settling for Rob Thomas' "Her Diamonds" from his latest album - "cradlesong"

Rob Thomas Music

My lucky numbers...

2009-06-29T20:45:00.003+10:00

These are my lucky numbers that should win me that much coveted and record breaking prize in the local OZ Lottery history: AU$90,000,000 first prize. Yup, that's seven zeroes and I got one chance in 45,000,000!

Hey, you're telling me that money can't buy happiness, love or health. You're right. But it can buy me that much needed freedom to travel and see the world without the much "dreaded" nine to five job [which I do love, in case my boss is reading this!]. It is great to be employed during these hard times but one needs to dream as well of being financially independent and not constrained by a job that one needs to show up five days a week.

Money and millions of it, did not do any good to the likes of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, who both sadly passed away recently due to ill health. Like most things in this world, money [and fame] is a double edged sword... as a Jehovah's Witness phamplet left at my door says, "Does money rules over us?" and not the other way around as it should? Do we forget that money is just a means to a "better" quality of life? Another set of "tools" to leave a better legacy if used properly, to make people discover their best amidsts this material world?

Whatever it is, I will still buy that share of the Oz Lotto dream. Dream and hope what makes us people, or so I philosophize!

Fortunate accident

2009-06-17T19:32:00.006+10:00

Who am I fooling? This is no accident but a 2004 installation sculpture by Jimmie Durham called "Still life with car and stone". A not so creative title but the actual installation is remarkable, especially in this roundabout setting in the corner of Hickson Road and Pottinger St:

Street view shot of the roundabout without the sculpture.

You would think that someone or somebody had an accident, but on closer inspection one would see the "face" painted on the boulder, and one would instantly get that it is not an accident but one of those "candid camera" moments... or errr an art installation.

The artist has spoken about this project:

"Like most of my recent work, this piece is concerned with monuments and monumentality, but also with 'nature'; that implacable hard stuff. In the first instance I am using the stone as a tool; to change the shape of an object. But I also, as usual, want to make stone more light, more moveable, even if it is in a fairly horrible way - like a road accident.. I do not think the piece is humorous; even though it turns out to be.

"The kind of face painted on the real version will, of course, depend upon the shape of the stone, but it will in any case be placid, and neither 'realistic' nor cartoon-like. To my way of thinking if the stone is simply a stone without a face it becomes a gesture but with the face painted on it, the work develops a strange narrative.

"Both a performance and an installation, this work reflects the play between nature and culture, technology and organic matter, as well as human life and monumental architecture. This work both explores and questions how familiar objects can be transformed into 'history'."

"He has said about his art - I would like to make work that you would say: "I don't understand. I'm confused now". I not only wish that I am confused, I want you to be confused. Because that is engagement….If we say a certain thing… that is a statement, then we enter into something quite false, theoretically false. And we enter into belief which, I think, is …sin.

"Jimmie Durham wants to remind us that singular or unified viewpoints of our world can result in a complacent mind set."

I've seen this installation way back when, since the Sydney Biennale of 2004 when it was first "installed" at the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House. With a relative in town, we somehow "bumped" into it around the Pier One - The Rocks area on a "tourist" walk of the area.

Great to see familiar places and not so familiar installation.

Lower Town on SBS

2009-06-13T00:51:00.004+10:00

Another late night movie catched mid-stream or nearly starting. As I researched from the net, this Brazilian movie [in Portuguese of course] is titled Cidade Baixa [Lower City]. A nice little film set in the famous Brazilian favela with an "Abel and Cain" sort of theme - with one of the two main characters white [Deco] and the other black [Naldinho] - so much for colour symbolisms.

Here's a synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes:

"Steamy sex, glistening sweat, dark photography, grungy ghetto colors, and sudden violence pervade this Brazilian feature from director Sergio Machado. Alice Braga (CITY OF GOD) stars as Karinna, a traveling prostitute who trades her favors to lifelong friends Deco (Lazaro Ramos) and Naldinho (Wagner Moura) for a ride back to Salvador on their run down boat. After Deco is almost killed at a cockfight, the three form a temporary menage-a-trois friendship, but the intense love each man feels for Karinna coupled with their homophobic macho wariness threatens to destroy their once unbreakable friendship. The pair starts hanging out at the seedy strip club where she plies her trade, each trying to one up the other, raising money from a life of crime and crooked boxing matches respectively. Machado culls a lot of sweaty atmosphere from his locations and a grimy cast of authentic locals as extras. The three leads ably convey the passion and pain of living in itinerant, eternal adolescence, lost in a glowing fog of cigarette smoke, sex, sweat, and neon, struggling towards some sort of stability in the haze. A big Cannes favorite, the film should please fans of sexy art-house hits like Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN and AMORES PERROS."

Another movie review aside from the above can be found here. But I usually watch the movie first and read the reviews. For the filmography, see IMDb here. The release date is 2005 in IMDb under Lower City, while on SBS - the Australian release date is 2006 - Lower Town.

A nice little movie that seems to capture what life in a favela is like - or so what I know from movies of the same genre. The twist is less violence and more romantic interaction worth watching till 1 AM.

[Photo credit: IMDb]

Free Spirits A(r)t Play in Singapore: 5 June-7 July

2009-06-03T12:17:00.005+10:00

Fellow blogger, artist, environmental advocate and entrepreneur; Bernadette Solina-Wolf won one of six berths to exhibit her art works at the prestigious Art Place of the Royal Plaza on Scotts, Singapore from June 5 to July 7, 2009.

The more than month long exhibition is dubbed: Free Spirits A(r)t Play and features another top five other Filipino illustrators - Frances Alcaraz, Beth Parrocha-Doctolero, Paul Eric Roca, Ferdinand Doctolero and Robert Alejandro. They will be exhibiting their take on "colourful and surreal" book-like illustrations, as all of them are at one time or another had a hand in illustrating books.

The exhibition is in conjunction with Singapore-Philippine based art eventologist, Art Sentral Asia.

Congratulations to all artists, especially of course to Bernadette - well done!

A page in history...

2009-06-02T12:52:00.003+10:00

Found in a Montana History book [which I received via email]:

"If you were around in 1919 [just before prohibition started] and came upon the following poster...

I mean seriously, would you quit drinking?"

Thanks to Ed M for the email.

Drive by shooting

2009-05-20T18:41:00.006+10:00

It's been raining lately... I guess good for the garden as well as raising the water dam a few more inches but bad for taking pictures. I did managed to get out last Saturday early morning to get a couple of shots along a stretch of road I drive by every morning to work.

There are times, when I pass by this road that the light is just perfect, the clouds and the sun rising without that harsh tint. But on the rush to get to work and the cars whizzing by, I just can't stop and shoot, can I?

Sometimes I do this "drive by" shooting but most of the time the results are not good. It does not even capture "the moment" if there is one! All those beautiful images filed in my brain's subconcious... too bad I can't share them with you. Not only I can't take photos that well, I can't write that well to describe them to you in detail.

I guess I need to take more pictures [practice makes perfect, right?] and stop making excuses.

------------------------

I am watching a TV show, discussing what body parts we can do without:

Coccyx - they reckon that is our tail bone when we were crawling on all fours.

Appendix - not the index or anything referring to books but the vermiform one, a small sack connected to our colon. It was said that when we were munching grass, it helps to digest them; but when we became meat eaters the function was no longer required.

Wisdom teeth - just extra teeth that we don't need and for some, might require removal.

and the men's nipples - you guess right, we don't lactate but why the nipples; maybe so we can put nipple rings on them!

I though you might be interested - otherwise continue your bloghopping or whatever you're doing.

Astronautas on SBS

2009-05-15T16:20:00.006+10:00

I love watching foreign films, which usually airs on SBS [with English subtitles, for I am no linguist]. Caught this Spanish "Lolita" film mid-screening and curiously caught my attention. Have you seen this film? I'll try to catch it again in full next time. Slept at 3 AM...

Astronautas [Astronauts]

"This unconventional, visually inventive film tells the story of the odd detoxification process of a middle-aged heroin addict, Daniel [Nacho Novo], who has been advised by his psychiatrist to follow a ten-point programme designed to reintegrate him into ''normal life''. His rehabilitation will depend on the help of teenager Laura [Teresa Hurtado], who enters his life by chance, and with whom an unlikely and touching love story unfolds."

Director/Writer: Santi Amodeo
Year made: 2003
Format: DVD
Duration: - 86 min

More review:

"Astronautas comes from Spanish director Santi Amodeo, who attended the film and gave a Q&A session after the film.

The title of the movie refers to someone who may have all the comforts of modern life, but remains disconnected from his environment. Daniel (played by Nancho Novo) is such a person. A former heroin addict, Daniel is working through a decalogue, or 10-step recovery program. As part of his therapy, he is renovating his apartment, which in itself is a metaphor for the rebuilding of his life.

One day Daniel finds a teenage girl (Teresa Hurtado) waiting outside the door of his neighbour's abandoned apartment, who turns out to be his neighbour's younger sister. He gradually admits her into his life, and in the process, she affects and changes him. Astronautas was not quite as comedic as I assumed from the festival guide description, but was rather a dramatic story with lighter moments and surreal animated segments seeded throughout.

I enjoyed the movie quite a bit, and it provided a different view of a subject tackled by another film at this year's festival, Clean, with Nick Nolte and Maggie Cheung. Both movies had at their core the story of a heroin addict trying to get their life back on track, but each told their tale in a unique way.

Some tidbits from the Q&A:

- This was his first solo directing effort. His two previous films, The Pilgrim Factor and Bancos were co-directed with Alberto Rodriguez.

- The animated interludes throughout the movie reflect Daniel's personal reality.

- The people with bowling balls for heads in the animated segments come from the animator on the film, who was asked by Amodeo to come up with a prototype of man.

- When Laura removes paper cutouts of bowling balls from a drawer in the apartment, it represents her taking out Daniel's life from the drawer into the real world."

I am looking still for this ten-point programme, it may help me to combat my blogging addiction.

Sunday is much better...

2009-05-11T10:41:00.007+10:00

I hope everyone had a good weekend - especially for those who celebrated Mother's Day with their loved ones.

With the financial crisis, newspapers [and internet sites] are awashed with what we should give to our mothers as gifts. For me, the best one is to spent some time with my mother [and relatives and friends, an excellent excuse to party and socialize] and treat the day as a special way to connect with her.

Admittedly, I don't have any material gift to my mom. It is a bit difficult to buy her something at age nearing 90! I know she still loves to read books, so maybe a couple of "choice" books would be more than appropriate and much appreciated.

Photo above right is one of flowers from an unnamed plant given as a gift. I find that very popular nowadays to give living plants or flowering plants [on a real pot!]. It is so practical as it won't wilt in a couple of days and with care, can be enjoyed years and years... now that is a good idea.

I guess that is why I didn't give mum a gift this Mother's day, the potted plant I gave her a few years back is still alive and well and keeps flowering. I know I am a cheapskate... but I do love her to death and I am not saying that because it is Mother's day.

Dissapointed@Friday

2009-05-08T14:33:00.007+10:00

This IS a rant - just a fair warning to all.

I was offered an "exclusive Samsung clearance sale" for a plasma TV model PS50A750 [Series 7] for a rock bottom price of AU$1,700.00. I said to myself this is too good to be true, but because I enjoy watching TV I consented to have my name and details included in the "list".

Great. Waiting... waiting and finally today I got a call from Lauren from Samsung Store telling me [surprise, surprise] that they don't have enough plasma TV of the one being offered at that wonderful price. But... wait, they have some "others" [to read older and crap models] on offer:

"Could I be interested in a Series 5 Samsung 50 inch at the incredible price of just AU$2,500.00? Or how about still a Samsung Series 4 PS50B450 for AU$1,650.00?" GST included.

I said I have to call back or email her manager Henry. Obviously I need to check the specs of the ones being offered before committing my hard earned money. My suspicion was right [I am a suspicious person], the models were older and overpriced as far as I am is concerned.

Shoot an email to Henry to ask how many of the "exclusive Samsung TV" was sold. At least I have the right to know how many were really on offer... I am still waiting. I called Flinton [another person who wants this "exclusive offer"] and surprise, surprise he also missed out!

At the moment, I still have this old Samsung projection TV that my daughter was waiting for me to give to her as a second TV for the kids.

I am sorry to say that I need to spread around dissapointments: where else will I watch my food and travel shows?

Picture above represent my very dissapointed and somewhat angry demeanour... but the good news is I am saving AU$1,700.00! Not the end of the world, and not world peace taken out of my claws... just a f**king 50 inch plasma TV, full 1980X1080 high definition, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,300cd/sq metre brightness, ultra bright, DNle Pro, digital noise reduction, over 175 deg viewing angle, ultra filter bright, 18 bit natural true colour, 262, 144 gray level gradation, cinema progressive film mode, 3D digital comb filter, low noise amplifier, movie plus, down firing speakers, 2 component inputs, 4 HDMIs, 1 PC input, 1 S-Video, USB wiselink, picture in picture, build in digital tuner, anti burn in technology, anynet technology, teletext, multi system [NTSC, PAL, SECAM], OSD language, blah, blah, blah... but why on Friday?

Now what would I give my wife for Mother's Day? Damn you Samsung Store!

My breakfast after the breakfasts...

2009-05-06T19:33:00.003+10:00

after the kids finishes off these two toasted cheese sandwiches.

Maybe it is the financial crisis; or maybe I am just too "concerned" throwing away these remnants. Sayang!

See here what we had on Good Friday.

Message sticks

2009-05-03T08:15:00.001+10:00

Samson & Delilah is screening on opening night of the Message Sticks Film Festival at the Sydney Opera House on May 7th, and will release in cinemas in Sydney the next day.

Other capital cities in Australia will open on May 7th.

Visit the Sydney Opera House and Message Sticks Film Festival website here.

Samson and Delilah (2009)

2009-05-02T11:54:00.002+10:00

Forget Baz Luhrmann's epic "Australia" and watch for this film by Warwick Thornton - I will.

That is the sad part. We want more "indie" films but at times we don't want to support them by watching or buying [as opposed to downloading on the net for free] the DVD. But there are some independent films [or "art films"] that are not available on DVDs - or due to the low demand makes the DVDs too expensive. I would like to see these films distributed on DVD like most commercial films, and I am sure a lot of people will be buying them. I could be wrong but if pirated movies can be had, I am sure an indie film can be mass produced and made availbale online stores.

Anyway, I'll watch out for the screening of Samson and Delilah this May 7.

If you can't wait, see review here by Matt Ravier and the filmography here by IMDb.

I am a twit

2009-04-29T12:59:00.008+10:00

At first I though Twitter is for twits, at least that's my initial reaction. Who would want to get updated on what people are doing every minute of the day? Are you people don't have any REAL life to live? Do you want to know if I am sitting my ass in the toilet? I guess not!

My daughter upgraded her Nokia E63 phone to the new fangled Blackberry - and she got hooked on Twitter like a druggo. I said; with three young kids, aren't you busy enough? I don't know exactly what is the charm of high end mobile phones and Twitter, I myself am "addicted" to my Canon DSLR camera [or so my wifey tells me].

Now I know what Twitter is good for: KogiBBQ. If you haven't heard of this site and service in the US, this is what they do - they travel around LA with two Taco trucks serving this fusion Korean BBQ and Tacos [what else?] and more. If you're one those late night people and you're hungry and craving for Korean Taco BBQ you've got to follow them on Twitter. They'll tell you on which particular location and time they will be.

Isn't that great? The genius who though of this will be the next Bill Gates [maybe, but not quite]. This the beauty of this business, low overhead [no rent to pay for retail shops] and a rabid follower of Twits.

Now that is a Twitter I'll follow anytime. Would love to see them here in Sydney - maybe Harry's Cafe de Wheels on Twitter running around Sydney suburbs selling their famous pies. Or better still "Pub on Wheels", now that's my idea. If only I can convince the liquor licence guys to give me the necessary papers!

------------------------

After writing this post I saw this article. Like the author, I loathe so-called "reality" TV. They are more like fake and manufactured TV for those who don't have a real life. Sorry...

Twit: British and Australian slang for an insignificant, foolish or annoying person.

Poop scoop

2009-04-17T17:13:00.005+10:00

Aiyee's [5 years old] rendition of Jake Long.

"Nowadays, anything can be art. You could scoop the poop of your next-door neighbour’s mutt and watch the art geeks go “ahh”, but when you look at this Fil-Aussie’s canvas creations , you’re experiencing art at it’s most raw-and most-sincere form. Forget theory; forget composition; forget deconstruction and all the other terms the learned brandy about in the hopes of catching the afterglow of true creation. Millie’s searing strokes, spilt paint, graffiti inspired figures, and emotional scribbles are it."

I love this quote I came across via Wanjam's multiply site, and led me to Millie's multiply. You can't argue with this statement. For most of us, artist wanna be; there is one criteria to take to heart - if it looks good, it must be art. Even a five-year old drawing.

Easter Monday 2009

2009-04-13T14:23:00.003+10:00

When I first moved in this country [Australia] I have not heard of Easter Monday, for most Filipinos Easter Sunday is the pinnacle of the Lent period or what is the shorter period we call "Holy Week". In Australia, Easter Monday is a continuation - a rest day after the always busy day of Easter Sunday; of the long weekend wherein families drive back from their holiday vacations.

In other cultures and in other countries, Mondays after Easter Sunday are known as Dyngus Day or Wet Monday, Bright or Renewal Monday; and in Egypt, Sham El Assim [literally to mean "smelling of the air"] which is celebrated on the Coptic Easter Monday which dates back to Pharonic times [about 2700 BC].

As in Egypt, most Australians celebrate "Easter Monday" more as a secular holiday culminating the four day weekend. Most Aussies goes into a long weekend vacation, camping, fishing, watching sporting matches, etc.

Invariably, appearance of hot cross buns and egg shaped chocolates wrapped in colourful wrappers, [such as the ones pictured above]; as well as chocolate bunnies in supermarkets herald the Australian Easter period. Most of these symbolisms are pagan in nature and pre-dates Christian era. Most are interwoven into Christian celebration such as Easter; and in Australia, it looks like they came in full circle.

While walking along the beach....

2009-04-08T20:39:00.001+10:00

"Charlie Loves Rea"

2009-04-03T09:34:00.003+11:00

One early morning, while on holidays in Hawaii late last year; my daughter, Rea went for a walk in the beach with hubby, Charlie and wrote something in the sand...

Support Earth Hour 2009: Top 10 Things to do

2009-03-26T10:15:00.002+11:00

Please support by turning off non-essential electronic and electrical equipment in your home and place of business. Better still on Friday, 27 March before going home; turn off all non-essential equipment at work!

This is on this Saturday, 28 March 2009 between 8:30 to 9:30 PM [your local time].

Suggested things to do:

1. Have that romantic candle lit dinner with your partner and/or family and friends.
2. Have a game board bonding with the kids.
3. If you play any non electronic/electrical musical instrument, have a sing-along with family and friends.
4. Have your evening walk, jog or biking coincide with Earth Hour.
5. Have a conversation about anything and everything. When was the last time you had a decent conversation?
6. Meditate and do Yoga with your Zen master.
7. Have a social drink of your favourite wine or beer with friends.
8. I am running out of ideas, do nothing!
9. Sleep early.
10. And if you don't want to sleep early, do something else with your partner... [wink, wink].

But whatever you do, turn off those lights!

Cellography

2009-03-24T19:13:00.007+11:00

"Taste" taken with my hand-me-down Nokia E65, flouro lighting.

This post was inspired by Flickr images called lomography - expired film, film cameras and cross film processing techniques!

Lomography is actually a commercial trademark of Lomographische AG, Austria, which was in turned inspired by the Russian Lomo LC-A camera. According to the Wikipedia article:

"In 1991, the Austrian founders of Lomography discovered the Lomo LC-A. As the company states, they were "charmed by the unique, colourful, and sometimes blurry" images that the camera produced. After a series of international art exhibitions and aggressive marketing work, Lomography signed an exclusive distribution agreement with LOMO PLC — thereby becoming the sole distributor of all Lomo LC-A cameras outside of the Soviet Union."

The pictures and the "techniques" emphasized casual everyday and common snapshots, with exaggerated, over-saturated colours, "happy accidents", blurring, oft-kilter exposures and alternative film and photo processing; all of which can be re-created using digital cameras and Photoshop.

But I think the best and closest casual shots would be best re-created by cell or mobile phones inbuilt digital cameras. I have seen more than a couple of these imaginative artists on Flickr and other photo sharing sites posting their creations using no more than a cell phone camera; and no mucking around with Photoshop or any digital software.

Both Lomography and cellography pushes the proverbial envelope and produces images than can be "construed" as art - images that not only look good and but pleasantly imaginative. Just Google some of these images and you will see what I mean.

On another note, see http://www.hupix.net/, an online gallery of "stunning simplicity of elegant images made with" Hugh Scott-Symonds [a British film director] cell phone [a Sony Ericsson K800i]. Better still, go and have a look at the "pin-hole camera" black and white pictures of Australian photographer, Rob Gardiner; who, by the way, also creates and dabbles with expired Polaroid SX-70 and Type 55 film. Talking about pushing the envelop, an expired one at that!

Earth Hour 2009 - 28 March

2009-02-24T19:50:00.003+11:00

At work, we will start on Friday 27 March through the weekend. At home, 28 March Saturday from 8:30 till 9:30 PM.

According to our associate director, "In 2008, NSI [Northern Sydney Institute] reduced its electricity use by 5% on 2007 levels . That’s a saving of 927 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. We also purchase 6% of our electricity from renewable energy sources, saving an additional 1,012 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. We want to improve on this in 2009."

See Earth Hour 2008 posts here and here.

Bondi Beach and Sculpture By The Sea

2009-02-05T00:51:00.006+11:00

Bondi Beach with the Bondi Pavilion in the background.

For Australians there is nothing more iconic than beaches; and Bondi beach is one of them. During the 1900's, the beach became associated with health, leisure and democracy - a great equalizer where everybody can enjoy themselves free from the rigidity of social class.

Bondi beach became very popular mainly due to the close proximity to the Sydney Central Business District (CBD); about seven kilometres east of the city. It is a kilometre long and shaped like a moon crescent.

Some believes the name was derived from the Aboriginal word meaning "water breaking over rocks or noise of water breaking over rocks. While the Australian Museum records that Bondi means "place where a flight of nullas took place". [1] But the fact remains that before European settlement, Bondi and the surrounding areas were inhabited by the Eora [the people] Aboriginals due to the significant rock carvings in the area.

Every October, Sculpture by the Sea - an arts event occur on this beach stretching as far back as Tamarama beach. Above is one example of an outdoor inspired sculpture, taking Bondi and its surrounding beaches as background.

More sculptures at Tamarama beach.

See last year's sculptures: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains

2009-01-30T17:52:00.013+11:00

Above is my attempt to capture part of the Blue Mountains in a 180-degree panoramic photo. I took about six or seven pictures [hand-held] and used Canon's Photo Stitch program to seamlessly combine into a panoramic view.

The World Heritage listed Greater Blue Mountains Area is about 10,000 square kilometres and consisting of seven National Parks and one conservation area. It is located about 50 kilometres west of Sydney metropolitan in the state of New South Wales. "Consisting of a sandstone plateau, the area is dissected by gorges of up to 760 metres in depth, and has high points up to 1,190 metres above..." [Source: Wikipedia].

The name Blue Mountains came to be for the obvious reason that when seen afar, the mountainous range has a bluish-green-greyish tinge. Some believe that it is because of eucalypt oil given off by the eucalyptus trees or by light reflecting off the eucalypt leaves that populate the area. Another explanation is that it is caused by ultraviolet radiation scattering and filtered by particles in the atmosphere, similar to differing colours of sunsets.

One of the major attractions is the Three Sisters rock formation near Katoomba. Like most rock formations, they were created by erosions. "They" have Aboriginal names: Meehni [922 metres], Wimlah [918 metres], and Gunnedoo [906 metres], and according to some "quarters" the legend goes this way:

"The Aboriginal dream-time legend has it that three sisters, 'Meehni', 'Wimlah' and Gunnedoo' lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe.

These beautiful young ladies had fallen in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law forbade them to marry. The brothers were not happy to accept this law and so decided to use force to capture the three sisters causing a major tribal battle.

As the lives of the three sisters were seriously in danger, a witchdoctor from the Katoomba tribe took it upon himself to turn the three sisters into stone to protect them from any harm. While he had intended to reverse the spell when the battle was over, the witchdoctor himself was killed. As only he could reverse the spell to return the ladies to their former beauty, the sisters remain in their magnificent rock formation as a reminder of this battle for generations to come."

Some quarters belie this legend as the creation of modern tourism industry and not Indigenous Australian legend as such. What is certain is that due to further erosion, the Three Sisters would crumble and be no more in perhaps another millennium or so.

The series of photos were taken at Echo Point at the town of Katoomba. One can see the enormity of the formations, seen above; the people climbing and crossing the bridge to one of the first Three Sisters and compare that to the second photo above. The experience can be likened to seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time, except that these are populated by trees!

This is just a couple of attractions in these parts, not to mention the Jenolan Caves [a series of caves with wonderful calcite formations.]; and The Wollemi National Park, which "... contains the only known wild specimens of the Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis), a species thought to have become extinct approximately thirty million years ago, but discovered alive in three small stands in 1994."

Double Sydney Icons

2009-01-29T12:53:00.005+11:00

Anyone who has been to Sydney [I will limit to my icons, what I think to be icons that I have personally seen and visited!], would definitely agree that these two structures are most widely seen as the ultimate Sydney icons! Have a quick look at your old Aussie postcards and most likely one of these will be in it!

Quick info regarding these two icons:

Sydney Harbour Bridge - is the older of the two structures which opened in 19 March 1932. Also known affectionately as the "Coat hanger" due to its uncanny resemblance to a coat hanger. Nowadays there is a company that offers a "bridge climb" to the apex of the bridge. I have not done it myself but I would one of these days. There are also footpath or pedestrian sections as well as train lines straddling the bridge. Click here for more detailed information regarding the history, statistics, etc. about the bridge [great old photos as well].

Sydney Opera House - is a World Heritage Listed icon that was borne out of an open ended worldwide design competition won by Danish architect, Jørn Utzon in 1957. The building was built in three stages from 1959 till 1973, with cost overruns and full of personality problems between Jørn Utzon and New South Wales politicians. Two great resources are the Opera House web site and Wikipedia article.

Above photo was taken from Mrs Macquarie's chair, near the Sydney's Royal Botanical Gardens.

Aussie Icons

2009-01-28T23:54:00.005+11:00

Bus stop, Newtown

January is always a busy month for Aussies, especially Sydneysiders.

Obviously one starts with New Year and the famous Sydney fireworks' display around the Sydney foreshores.

Then on with the three week Sydney Festival [10-31 January], "a rich program of around 80 events involving upwards of 500 artists from Australia and abroad covering dance, theatre, music, visual arts, cross media and forums."

While this is going on, there's Australia Day, traditionally celebrated on 26 January as a National Day for most Australians. This is a very recent national holiday celebrated nationally but for the Aborigines - the traditional people of this island continent; find the date offensive. For them, the date symbolizes the start of first European settlement of their homeland.

On or about this is the Australian Tennis Open [19 January - 1 February], unfortunately for the home crowd there's no Australians in the quarter finals for both the men and women divisions.

Almost forgot the ever present, Chinese New Year!

In this series, I will try to provide and show some Aussie icons which make up the national psyche in honour of this busy and important month.

I am scanning everything

2009-01-11T14:10:00.002+11:00

Last of the kundol

2009-01-11T11:21:00.002+11:00

"Last of the kundol", since I ate the last of the pack of candied wintermelon or kundol in Tagalog. Original scanned at 300 dpi [Canon LIDE20], no background except for the white scanner cover. Below is the same kundol with a black background.

Kundol on black

2009-01-11T11:18:00.002+11:00

"Kundol on black" Canon LIDE 20 [original scanned at 300 dpi].

Scanning as an art form

2009-01-10T23:47:00.004+11:00

"More leaves - black" Canon LIDE 20 [original scanned at 600 dpi]

I've been using my scanner in a very typical manner: scanning old pictures [with the film negatives I could no longer locate], documents that I need to email or just certificates and diplomas for digital archiving [also a nice way to present your porfolio, resume', etc.].

While reading a photography magazine I came across the art of scannography, scan art, scanner photography or, my preference, scanography. Above is an attempt to digitized pressed leaves found in books that I will be giving away.

This was achieved using a basic Canon model scanner: Canonscan LIDE 20. Unfortunately, this model isn't too good when it comes to 3D objects. Fortunately I have another Epson Perfection 3200 photo scanner, which is a more advance model which I have yet to try.

At scannography.org, the author best summed up this art form:

"Scannography is near from photography but also very different from it in many points. A few of them are the absence of perspective and of depth of field, the regularity of the light captured by thousands of captors. Some of these points are very different from one artist to the other. The material seem to have it's importance too.

One of the most interesting things about scannography is that it is a new way to see the things around us. It's not macro but can be! It's not drawing but has something similar to those documentary drawings done to capture the essence of plants or animals! It's not photography but it reproduces the reality with extraodinary precision!"

Aside from the scannography.org site, below are some other links I've found interesting in my Google "research"; if you haven't been impressed and converted with my experimental scanography, these sites will!

Mr Mark's scanography Flickr site, click here.

Dawn's Scanography PBase site, click here.

Scannography.org links, click here.

As Dawn put's it, this is a "poor man's large format [camera]. Enjoy!

Back to work

2009-01-04T23:44:00.003+11:00

After a two-week holiday respite from work I am spending my last few hours watching my favourite foodie/travel show: Anthony Bourdain's No Reservation... sigh.... what a lucky guy having this dream job.

Fifty one

2009-01-03T23:40:00.003+11:00

03 January

Albula vulpes

2009-01-02T10:56:00.005+11:00

Albula vulpes aka Banana or bone fish [I know picture above is not a banana fish but my pet fish. That is the closest I could find of an orig photo without renting a scuba gear or reeling one.]

I am alive! I learned something new again today, and I am of those curious fellows that just need to know. That is what makes me feel alive and kicking.

Franco Dragone, in his “word from the director” [of Cirque Du Soleil’s production of “O”] says:

“Since the beginning of time, there have been hallowed places where people gather to explain the universe. For me, the theatre is just such a place: sacred, magnificent and essential.”

I guess for me, one of such places is the net. Not sacred as such but magnificent and essential; full of curious things, knowledge, wonderment, etc. It enables me to share my experiences, thoughts and passion for recording images [whether they are great or not is another thing!]. For putting what I think into words and especially to share my existence with friends and families [and the odd visitor]. My joys – sorrows, I try to omit as there are plenty of it out there.

The net enables me to discover new movies that I might like to watch, music that might be good to listen to, food to eat, books to read, advocacies worth belonging to: bits and pieces that makes life worth living.

I guess [I am always guessing!] a new year brings all these aspirations to mind. While I don’t make predictions nor about to start to stick to a new year resolution, I like to ponder about life and everything – sometimes serious at most times in an irreverent way. Life is too short to be too serious anyway.

So what brought on this “epiphany”, maybe because I have too much time on my hands [I am on holidays] or maybe because I am turning 51, I don’t know.

What I do know is that I rediscovered JD Salinger via Kala, hence the title of this post; that I managed to come across a little known tribal band, Kadangyan via Shrek aka as Palma Tayona. That prompted me to order some books about the Ibaloi at Amazon, if only more information can be had regarding these old time head hunters.

I am now listening to my new CD of APO [not just an ordinary copy, but an autographed copy, handed to me by no less than Jim Paredes - err after I paid him for four copies!] and reading a July 2008 copy of Australian Photography [God knows I need more tips and to practice taking shots!].

After the festivities

2009-01-01T23:19:00.003+11:00

Alcohol always plays a role in most festivities, at least in and around my family. This is especially true during the New Year celebrations, either to forget the past year or welcome the new year inebriated. Either way or whatever the reason; yours and mine, it works.

Staying up late, eating a copious amount of food, talking to friends and loved ones and drink one's poison - wine, spirits or beer; makes the conversation less formal, less tense and frank. Now there is a great way to start the new year: frank without being hurtful and true to oneself. There is nothing like starting the new year free and unburdened by the baggages of last year and a fresh new start to the new year.

Here's to 2009... let's drink to that!

Angels Perched

2008-12-31T22:27:00.006+11:00

Angels descent from a child's dream - "I will catch you if you fall." Franco Dragone, from Cirque Du Soleil's "O"

While dining out at our old neighbourhood in Glebe, saw these two angels perched on top of Manors Cafe against the raining city skyline background. Across, we were having a quiet time in this nice Thai restaurant called Thai Space (as against our usual haunt - Thai Spice).

Glebe is one those Sydney neighbourhood famous for small cafes and eateries. Before dining, we had a stroll in the rain and saw of the old landmarks. Unfortunately, a number of establishments closed down for some reason or another.

We vowed to go back in the very near future to have another stroll and dine in another restaurant lining Glebe Point Road, maybe when it is not raining and gloomy.

Happy New Year to all!

12 December 1981.

Merry Christmas 2008!

2008-12-25T12:31:00.004+11:00

Another Christmas gone forever and only left are the memories, the joys and toys etched in the smiles of kids - both big and small.

Here's hoping that you have a Merry Christmas and all the joys that goes with the holidays.

And if you need a drink (and won't be driving) try my Red Oz Holiday Mojito... it's been a hit in my parties.

8 Days to Act: Project 551

2008-11-29T16:50:00.003+11:00

Been to Seaworld at San Diego and managed to get this shot at the Shamu Show. I was reminded of my photo submissions [also here, here, and here] to International Fund for Animal Welfare's IFAW] Project 551.

Watching these so-called "killer whales" in action again; after more than ten years at the same venue, gave me a renewed appreciation of the fine rescue and scientific work Seaworld is doing for these and other animals.

By the way there is only eight days to act and support IFAW's Project 551.