Stranger at the Museum
Movie marathon? Yes!
Started with
Night At The Museum. An action/comedy/fantasy movie is about Larry Daley, a hopeless dreamer who wanted to be great someday. Then, he gets a job of a lifetime--guarding the National Museum of History. Sounds ordinary? Not if all the items on display come to life at sundown. The movie is definitely enjoyable and the kids (and kids-at-heart) would love it.
Next stop is
Stranger Than Fiction. It is a comedy/drama/romance movie. I call it tragic-comedy. When IRS agent Harold Crick begins hearing a female's voice in his head, narrating the things he is doing, that's when everything changed from his boring existence. Especially when the lady narrator mentioned that "if he had known..."--a hint of his impending death. Some may not be into it but the movie's treatment makes it unique; thus, refreshing.
After the movies, attended the anticipated Mass and we had dinner at
Super Bowl.
Surprise! Surprise!
First, received a simple "hi" TXT message last night. This is when I "learned" that the one who sent the TXT message is the "friend" of a friend who was "tasked" to bring to me some gifts from him. So, set up to meet this friend today at
SM Makati after office between 6-6:30PM.
>
Notice the date on the shirt?
As the hour nears, received another TXT message saying he is already at the meeting place. We then gave each other a description of the clothes we are wearing so that we can find each other. Also told him at I'll be at the meeting place at 6:30PM as there are still a lot of work to be done at the office.
So, walked my usual from the office to Ayala Center. Either I am a fast walker or I gave the wrong estimate of the time I'll be reaching SM Makati for I reached the meeting place at 6:15PM. In any case, it is a blessing of sorts. There's no "friend"... he is there! Hehehe! The funny thing, he is the one who was surprised for he was initially planning to hide... LOL. Then, we had dinner at
Pancake House.
Agent X-Saw
Another movie marathon for me for this week.... c",)
Started with Vhong Navarro's
Agent X44. An action/comedy about Tony Falcon, an Agent hopeful who did not get to graduate the Academy. Hoping to follow the footsteps of his uncle, the legendary Agent X44, he manages to "solve" the theft of the mythical
bolo of Lapu-Lapu, when his uncle stages his own death so that the assignment will be given to his nephew.
There are laughs, but some fall flat (for me, anyway). There's Pinoy slapstick and there's Japanese comedy (one of the movie's scene is the same I've watched in a Japanese comedy TV show).
Next is
Saw III. The last few scene of Saw II prepares for the groundwork of Saw III. It just means, it is not yet the end of Jigsaw, who now has an apprentice working for him, Amanda. Now involved in "the game" is a doctor, who must keep Jigsaw alive until the other player, Jeff, completes "the game". But, are these two the only players in "the game"? I wonder.... So, let the game begin.
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at
Italianni's. Sure love their Sicialian Chicken Salad and their Penne Verdure. c",)
Another World Pyro Olympics, Rob!
Today would be another
World Pyro Olympics for us! Could have stayed at home and waited until we go to
The Espalanade, behind the
SM Mall of Asia, where the last of the 5-day run of the
2nd World Pyro Olympics will be held. But, I just have to get the pictures I have developed and see the result of my new toy...
Lensbaby 2.0. LOL
But first, watched the movie of Jackie Chan,
Rob-B-Hood. As expected of a Jackie Chan movie, there's action, comedy and a little drama. Fong (Jackie Chan) is a compulsive gambler, who has to resort to thievery to satisfy his habit. With his partner, Octopus (Louis Koo), and mastermind/teacher, The Landlord (Michael Hui), they came entangled with the triad who asked them to kidnap a baby. They were able to get the baby, but due to the unexpected glitches, they were not able to hand-over the baby to the triad. Thus, Fong and Octopus find themselves stuck to the baby until The Landlord is released from jail for his driving. But the baby has struck on a chord in the macho men's hearts. Would the baby also help them mend their ways?
After the movie, picked up my pictures. Yes!!! My first attempt on my new Lensbaby 2.0 using my (film) Canon SLR is a success.
China
At exactly 4PM, my niece and I (with Manong in tow), left the house to go to the Esplanade. Unlike last Saturday, we were able find ourselves a space in the seawall. We even shared our space to a family of three. Never left our area, except for a few trips to the store for our meal and the portable toilet, and spent the time talking, TXTing. We were also able to catch the sunset.
At around 8:30PM, we watched the fireworks display of China. Everyone was in awe. Unlike it's performance in the 1st World Pyro Olympics, which I consider like a dance as I find their performance graceful, their programme is more aggressive.
Philippines
Right after China's performance, that's when my niece's friends arrived. Shared them our space, too!
At around 10:30PM, the exhibition of the Philippines for it fireworks artistry started. Everyone is clapping and shouting. Because of the strength of its fireworks, the barge has moved nearer the seawall and was almost directly in front of us (originally, it's about 45 degrees from our view).
After the presentation of the Philippines, we waited before we decided to leave The Esplanade as there are a lot of people queueing to the Exit. That's when we saw all the garbage left at The Esplanade!!! Why can't these people carry their garbage as they left the place? Hayyy....
Lensbaby 2.0 Canon EF Mount
Woohoo! Received my package this morning... a
Lensbaby 2.0.
Since I know I would be getting it today, brought my Canon (film) SLR at the office. Loaded it with a (free) 12 roll film. Obviously, immediately tried my hands at it as soon as I received it! LOL
After office, dropped by a photo shop to have it developed.
As soon as I arrived home, tried the lens using may Canon dSLR (so that I would have immediate feedback on the result). What do you think? Not bad, noh? c",)
Digital Imaging Fundamentals
Attended another course at
Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI). The "darkroom" of digital photography is
Adobe Photoshop (or other digital imaging software). Thus, decided first to take the pre-requisite course,
Digital Imaging Fundamentals and Color Management, before I take the
Adobe Photoshop CS2 Basics.
These are the things I learned today:
- The process of digital imaging: (a) converting analog images into digital data, (b) manipulating digital images, (c) outputting digital images.
- To avoid degradation of an image in Adobe Photoshop: (a) use of free transform, (b) use as smart object, (c) use layers, etc.
- You must avoid resizing of images. From low to high resolution, softens the image.
- If you need to make an image bigger, use "bicubic smoother".
- If you need to make an image smaller, use "bicubic sharper".
- If you need to make a square bigger, use "nearest neighbor".
- Calibrating the monitor: (a) Should calibrate at the light you would be working on. (b) Use gray background/desktop. (c) At Control Panel, double click "Adobe Gamma". (d) Choose the wizard. When adjusting the gamma, uncheck the single gamma to adjust the three colors; squint eyes while adjust. Suggested gamma for Windows is 2.20 and 1.80 for MAC. For the hardware white port (temperature of light used by the monitor), there would be 3 gray boxes. Click the two (2) outer boxes to the middle box the gray you like. Choose 6500 kelvin (daylight). And lastly, save profile.
- Before working with Adobe Photoshop: (a) Calibrate monitor. (b) Set settings of color: For photographers and graphic artist, use Adobe RGB. For web designers, use sRGB.
- When printing using your printer ("document") and you let Adobe Photoshop dictate the color, turn-off Color Management System (CMS) of the printer.
- When printing to simulate printing process, choose "proof", let Adobe Photoshop dictate the color, turn-off CMS of printer.
- When scanning, assign scanner profile then convert profile to Adobe RGB.
2nd World Pyro Olympics
Yes!!! I was able to schedule for tonight to watch the
2nd World Pyro Olympics.
Last time, we were able to watch all the participants who joined the 1st World Pyro Olympics last December 2005. And I was able to predict that Australia would be the winner. For this year, at least, I would be able to watch even for one night. Would have preferred to watch the first night as Australia, the defending champion, would be performing. But, the schedule won't fit.
So today, have to breeze through the following:
1) Send car to Honda for its preventive maintenance.
2) Bring computer to computer shop to check the noise I hear when I open it. (I suspect it is the auxilliary fan.)
3) Bind my niece's assignment.
4) Pick-up my car.
5) 2nd World Pyro Olympics.
When we arrived at the
Esplanade where we can view the fireworks display, there are already a lot of people lining the wall of Manila Bay (not counting those at the
SM Mall of Asia also waiting for the show). Good thing, we were able to find a place to position ourselves as three teenagers and a lady allowed us to share their space. (Thanks so much!!!)
While waiting for the show to begin, spend the time chatting. Unlike last year, there is no more band or acrobats performing on stage while we wait for the fireworks display. (As if we would leave our "space" at the wall.) The first to perform that night is United States of America (at 8:30PM) and Spain (at 10:00PM)
United States of America
Spain
There were lots of oohs and aahhhs. I wonder how the people reacted when the defending champion, Australia, performed last night...
As soon as the second participant finished their presentation, a mass of people left that place. Everyone seems decided to have their very late dinner. Almost all of the restaurants at the SM Mall of Asia are full, with a lot of people waiting for their table. Since our car is parked at
Blue Wave, we decided to have our dinner there. Surely, there would be fewer people dining there?
So, it's
Shakey's for us at Blue Wave that night. When we arrived at Shakey's, there is already a family waiting for a table (we are second on the waiting list). They have been waiting for a loooonnnng time. That's when we noticed a couple at a table who already finished their dinner and all they do is talk (see picture of the inconsiderate couple). And I was not the only one who noticed the two as the other family are also reacting. Given that it's already almost 11-11:30PM, everyone is hungry. Since they have kids, the other family already ordered food and eating the pizza (standing) at the counter. And the inconsiderate couple?
Dead-ma!
(We were already half-way to our dinner--finally got a seat--and the couple is still there while there are still people waiting to be seated.)
Matakot Ka Sa Karma
The
2nd World Pyro Olympics would start tomorrow, January 5. In case I would be able to watch, decided to buy myself a lens hood for my EF-S 17-85mm lens. As I recall from my basic photography lessons, when shooting fireworks, use "bulb" for the shutter speed (and obviously, a small opening for an apperture). Because of it, using a remote control (and tripod) will avoid camera shake. Leave the shutter open and release the shutter once the light or fireworks explode. With this style, it is preferred to have a lens hood to minimize "unwanted" lights reaching the lens. I already have a tripod as well as a remote control. What I lack is a lens hood.
After office, searched for a hood for my lens. Took me three stores before I was able to purchase one. On the way home, that's when I passed by the cinemas... and decided to watch a movie. It's either
Matakot ka sa Karma or
Ligalig. Odd...
Ligalig is not being shown in any Glorietta theaters that time. So, it's
Matakot ka sa Karma for me.
The movie is a trilogy of horror stories with the stories working around on items bought from an antique dealer. The first episode is titled
Kama (translation: bed). The bed "comes" with its previous owner. The mother who bought the bed was bothered when the previous owner of the bed claims that her son is hers. The second episode is titled
Aparador (translation: cabinet). An interior designer purchases the cabinet for Mariel's house. When Mariel's brother disappeared, that's when the mystery inside the cabinet emerges. The third episode is titled
Tokador (translation: dresser). The antique dresser was a gift by a suitor to Katrina. Then, she finds a necklace in one of its drawers. When she gives the necklace to one of her friends, that's when a possessive spirt stalks her and her friends.
As a friend puts it, the movie should be titled "Matakot ka sa Sumpa" (translation: fear the curse) as the stories have nothing to do with karma. c",)
