Decided that it would be a horror movie for me today. Starring Dominic Purcell (star of Prison Break TV series), The Gravedancers is about three old friends who reunited for their friend's funeral. In their night of revelry, they break into the cemetery where their friend laid to rest. Unknown to them, they have said an incantation (which one of them found on an envelope placed in their friend's grave) which caused them to be haunted by dangerous ghosts as they danced to these dead's graves.
All elements to scare you is in the movie: eerie music, sounds, etc. But unlike other horror movies, it tries to understand the personality of the ghosts; which serves as a groundwork to solve the ghostly hauntings.
A funny thing, there was couple beside me. In one of the scenes, the guy shouted! Hehehe! And he said, "Hindi ako handa dun, ah!" (Translation: I was not ready for it!)
After the movie, went to CD-R King to buy my nephew a wireless USB adapter (so that I can already get mine which I loaned him). Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Super Bowl. Then, picked up my picture taken and signed by Tilak Hettige, which I have Picture Perfect framed for me.
It was just supposed to be a short visit to our Inner Vision instructor, Tilak Hettige, as we would ask him to sign the images he took of us. Since his images are being bought from USD300 to USD500, that means, my photo which I developed costing PhP40.00 is already worth PhP13,500 to PhP22,500!!!
We were in his house around 2PM, and left around 5PM, as we just talked on and on and on. One of our classmates kindly dropped us at Glorietta from Tilak's house.
Decided to have a late meryenda at Burger King and do a little surfing...
I wanted to own a slim external DVD Writer. This way, if I need a use for it, I can easily bring it along with my sub-notebook.
It is only being sold at one computer shop (COMPLink) in Makati. And it sells like pancake. Thus, decided to buy it today in case it gets out of stock. It's a LaCie portable DVD+-RW with LightScribe, design by Sam Hecht.
I'm a good buwena-mano. Since I arrived at the store, four customers bought items from their store. In fact, the second customer was also thinking of buying an external DVD writer. He is thinking of buying a Sony brand. But since he saw I was buying one and already installing the drivers in my sub-notebook, he was waiting how it goes. Then, he decided to buy the LaCie brand, instead of Sony. Why? Besides the LightScribe, his sub-notebook has a Linux OS...
Afterwhich, hopped from one record bar to the next looking for the "Tibetan Meditation" and "Above and Beyond presents Oceanlab: Sirens of the Sea" CDs. Both is not available... (sad)
Had lunch at Burger King and do some free web-surfing before proceeding home.
It's Death Race for now. Starring Jason Statham, expect the movie to be an action, adventure, thriller.
It was the time when even public facilities/services are being run by private companies. And because of it, they do so for profit. Terminal Island, a prison, is the stage for the no-holds barred car race. If you love car crashes, this one is for you. c",)
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Fish & Co. The dinner was a birthday treat by our friend. Burp!
Tonight would be our "graduation" from the Inner Vision photography workshop of the Mr. Tilak Hettige. As a requirement, we are supposed to present our final assignment.
This is a replica of the presentation I made. My theme is "Nothing is exciting if you know what the outcome is going to be". Each one of us is given different assignments.
I was given a very small perfume bottle ("Miracle" by Lancome) as my subject. Thus, decided to play around with the perfume's name. Thanks to the video clips from ZULKARNEYN2099 for his "Creation of Man" and mindlapse for his "Time lapse radish seeds sprouting, top and roots growing", which served as the opening of my presentation. Music is "Miracle" by Oceanlab.
Took the seat nearest the driver of the jeepney I rode to get home. Jeepneys, in general, were decorated lavishly by their owners to make them unique/different from other jeepneys. The one I rode have lights at each corner of the passenger area.
Due to the traffic and traveling all the way from Ortigas, had a catnap. Just then, a lady kindly slightly tugged me and told me to move away from the light as it seems that my hair would burn.
Upon arriving home, went to my room, that's when I smell something burning. When I combed my hair, some hair came with the comb!
Thank you to the lady who woke me up, nothing untoward happened to me... (",)
(Writing this inside the Glorietta 4 using my airborne access...)
Being a non-working holiday and my weekend spent on my hobby, decided to watch movies. But first, as soon as I woke up, did some finishing shots for my final assignment in my photography workshop.
Bought first the movie tickets, ate lunch at Burger King and did some surfing using Burger King's free WiFi.
First stop is Wall-E, an animation from Disney. Love it! Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter-Earth) is so innocent, curious, sweet and very endearing. His "sweeatheart" is EVE (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) is polished and sophisticated. No matter how different the two robots are, both made a connection. The movie is funny, full of heart, and, as expected from a Disney movie, imparts a lesson. It smacks us, humans, in the face on how wasteful we are and consumerism in our society (with the blaring Buy-N-Large shops/stores). Wall-E will tug ones heart.
Next stop is The X-Files: I Want To Believe. Mulder and Scully is back. After leaving the FBI, they were called-in again to help in the grisly abductions and validate the authenticity of the visions of a psychic, a disgraced Catholic priest. The movie answered questions on what happened to the two when the series ended. Although I am an X-Files fan, I would say that this movie is good enough for the tube, not on the silver screen.
It would be a half-day session for us. It would be a supervised shooting by Mr. Tilak Hettige for our final assignment. It would be at Tilak's house at Forbes Park.
My classmate and I met at the Shell Gas Station along EDSA corner Ayala Avenue at 7:45AM. We then proceeded to Tilak's house. As soon as we arrived, we started shooting around his garden.
We also had a Sri Lankan breakfast. It is the first time I tasted a milk rice. Hehehe!
When the rain started to fall, we packed inside his house. He explained the images he took that were on display. He also took shots of each one of us. Imagine, our picture taken by the Tilak Hettige!
Today's the second day of the workshop under the tutelage of Mr. Tilak Hettige. We are supposed to meet at Max Brenner at Glorietta at exactly 6:30AM. As soon as we arrived, we were given assignments to look for natural and man-made things that looks like the letters/numbers assigned to us. This is to develop our observation and creative juices. I got O, P, Q, R, S, T, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0 and 1.
At 7:30AM, we returned to the Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI) to have our breakfast. Then, we had a short lecture on Lights and Designing an Image.
Characteristics of Light: * Brightness * Quality * Color
Direction of Light: * Front * Side * Back
Designing an Image: 1) Lines a) Horizaontal b) Vertical c) Diagonal 2) Perspective 3) Shape 4) Color 5) Texture
We, then, proceeded to the American Cemetery to practice looking for shapes and lines in our image. It was suggested that we draw first in a paper the image we want to capture before "clicking" the shutter.
Back to PCCI, we had lunch, lecture, activity on expressing our feelings/thoughts on the image we selected, and presentation of the pictures we took in the morning.
Henri Cartier-Bresson: "For me the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which, in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously. In order to “give a meaning” to the world, one has to feel involved in what one frames through the viewfinder. This attitude requires concentration, discipline of mind, sensitivity, and a sense of geometry. It is by economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression."
Decided to go to Office Warehouse at Paseo Center to check items I can buy with my techie gadgets. Saw an F&K Technology notebook computer lock. Would be nice to use it with my MSI Wind for security in case I inadvertently leave behind my sub-notebook.
Tried attaching it to my sub-notebook. OK. But, when I tried removing it, IT WON'T BUDGE!!!
Instead of destroying my precious sub-notebook, decided to bring it to PC Corner at Park Square 1. They, too, were unable to remove the notebook computer lock. They suggested that I bring it to a locksmith to have the lock destroyed/removed. Went to Mr. Quickie beside The Landmark. Hayyyy.... Finally, it was gone!
Brought it back again to PC Corner to check if portions of the lock were still inside the sub-notebook. This is to ensure that it won't cause short-circuit inside.
It's my weekend movie and, this time, it would be You Don't Mess With The Zohan starring Adam Sandler. As expected, Rob Schneider won't be left behind. These two friends can be seen in each other's movie, even in a cameo role.
Israeli's best secret agent, Zohan, has to fake his own death to run away to America to seek his dream: cut and style hair. Eventually, his dream is taking shape, but his past is closing in on him. There were laughs, and Adam Sandler, as the Zohan, is fun to watch. The funny idea is repeated incessantly, losing its punch.
After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and bought groceries at The Landmark.
Today, August 8, 2008, at 8:08 in the evening (Philippine time), would be the opening of the 2008 Olympics to be held at Beijing, China. Thus, left the office early to catch the opening of the Olympics on TV.
The Chinese, noted for their skill, discipline and talent in performances consisting of thousands of people, the opening of the Olympics would be a visual treat.
The theme of the performance/opening is to depict China's culture, art and history.
Having to brave the rain yesterday when going home (inspite the gruelling activity of the photo shoot) must have taken its toll. Woke up with a piercing headache.
Decided not to go to work today. If I feel a bit better, decided to go to the LTO for the replacement of my lost driver's license (which is inside my stolen wallet). This way, there is no need for me to take another leave just to make the arrangements...
Today's the monthly meeting of our camera club. Aside from the judging of the monthly theme competition "Rain", we would have an on-the-spot shooting (OTS) of fashion and glamour.
Our models are Ms. Sissel Rabajante, Ms. Athea Vega, Ms. Russelyn Raquin, and Ms. Sharmaine del Rosario. The make-up artists are Ms. Marlene Hsu and Ms. Maricel Basaysay.
As expected from most photographers, once the "shooting" starts, we become autistic... hehehe! Inspite of the rain outside, we "clicked and clicked". It was fun, since the models are cooperative and accommodating.
Today's the day I would be arranging replacements for my loyalty cards (reporting that my ATM and credit cards have been stolen and requesting for their replacement was done during the week). But first, my movie for the week... The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
Brendan Fraser is back with his third "mummy" installment. This time, the O'Connells are facing the Dragon Emperor who was awakened from his curse. Rick and Evelyn is joined by their son, Alex, who got the genes for adventure from his parents. Brendan is a shoo-in for the action/adventure hero, with his swagger and share of goofiness. His brother-in-law in the film, as usual, added to the comic antics. I miss the original "Evelyn". Others may prefer the first two mummy movies. I just enjoyed the movie... ;)
After the movie, arranged for the replacement of my loyalty cards, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Italianni's.
As soon as I arrived home, received the replacement for my credit card from Citibank. The first to fill up one of the pockets of the Fossil wallet I bought yesterday...
Sure have an "odd" feeling holding a "thin" wallet... hehehe!
