Picked-up the film of my x-ray at Makati Medical Center (MMC). Then, proceeded to Maxicare to bring the result to my doctor. The result says that I have a sacralization of L5. The doctor gave me medicines to relieve my pain. If after five days I still feel pain in my back, she would be recommending therapy.
Then, proceeded to my eye doctor. It would be my second check-up...
Already had the severe back pain early last night. I was hoping that after a night's sleep, the pain would go away. But it didn't!
Thus, decided not to go to the office (as I don't think my back can carry my bag's weight) to have a check-up. Availed of our company's health card, Maxicare. The doctor they assigned to check me, Dr. Beverly Menendez, is accommodating and explained to me about my back pain. I like that! I don't even have to ask questions. She then recommended that I take a lumbar X-ray and A/P lateral/oblique. I had the X-ray at Makati Medical Center.
Since I am already out of the house, decided to watch a movie, which I was not able to this weekend. It's Eagle Eye, an action, thriller, drama movie.
What would you do if out of the blue you receive a phone call from a stranger asking you to do things? You do it because you have no choice, because your loved ones might die if you don't. Jerry Shaw (Shia LaBeouf) and Rachel (Michelle Monaghan) did. There's lot of action in the movie and the actors were able to keep up with it, making the movie enjoyable to watch.
After the movie, picked the pictures I had developed before watching the movie and ate a late lunch at The Soup Kitchen.
Upon arriving home, learned I have a package from New York, U.S.A. It's a NookaNooka... Yes!!! Joined one of the promos by Nooka wherein I would be sending my picture wearing my Nooka watch. I can't believe that I would be receiving a NookaNooka. Nice place to keep my Nooka.
Hmmm... Do you think I should increase my collection...? A white one, perhaps? c",)
I have several on my list and planned it to buy it today. Thus, first thing, went to Rockwell to buy a Lomo LC-A, Holga 35mm and Colorsplash Flash at Graphic Designed Lifestyle. The result of the shots I took from my Fisheye 2 convinced me delve deeper on Lomography. Hehehe!
I was only able to buy two out of the three from my list. According to the sales lady, somebody bought their last stock of Lomo LC-A yesterday. In fact, he bought a lot that his bill totaled PhP30K+!!!
Anyway, asked them to inform me if they would be having a Lomo LC-A again on stock.
Then, proceeded to Glorietta, ate at Burger King, used their free wifi to blog and chat... c",)
Looked into the paintings of Joey Velasco, again, which are on display at Glorietta 4. This time, read the write-up about each painting... where the artist took his inspiration. It is moving...
Because the lomo cams I bought are limited to its available aperture (either f/8 only, f/8 and f/11 only) as well as the shutter speed (either 1/100 sec and bulb only, 1/125 sec and bulb only) plus the ISO of the film used, decided to "compute" for the shutter speed per lighting scenario. Which means, I'll be using a lot of bulb setting and counting "one thousand one, one thousand two..." Hehehe!
Fisheye 2, f/8, 1/100 sec
Holga 35mm, f/8, f/11, 1/125 sec
Shutter speed for f/8 would be similar to Fisheye 2 above.
For f/11:
Received a TXT or SMS message asking for prayer request. It states:
"Urgent prayer request! Please pray for the church in India. Buddhist extremists burn 20 churches in ORISSA last night. BJO plans to kill 200 pastors in the next 24 hours. All Christians are hiding in the bushes. Please pray and forward to all intercessors you know. So we can cry to GOD on their behalf. Please pass! From Bishop Palma"
The message is wrong in the sense it is not Buddhist extremists but Hindu extremists. Please click link for updates on this ==> link.
Won't be doing my usual movie weekend. My friend would finally be purchasing a laptop. It would be similar to mine, MSI Wind. Already ordered it at PC Corner's Park Square Branch. But, my friend's timing is perfect, MSI Wind has a promo. For the same amount I purchased, its memory has been upgraded to 2GB (from 1GB) and hard disk of 160GB (from 80GB).
We then proceeded to Burger King for late lunch and installed necessary software in my friend's new netbook.
Attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Cibo. This is to make use of airborne access to further update the netbook's OS.
Proceeding home, passed by the display at Glorietta 4 of flower arrangements called Sogetsu.
Then, finally decided to get that laptop backpack, Maloperro.
After office, I often take a stroll around Glorietta before proceeding home. A good way to relax--even to take note of those on sale, new items, etc. hehehe!
In front of Marks & Spencer at Glorietta 4, paintings by Mr. Joey Velasco are on display. These same paintings are the design for a 2009 Calendar. They depict Jesus in the "present", with Him among the Filipinos...
Whenever you have a new "toy", what do you do? Play with it, of course! Hehehe!
So, I loaded my Fisheye 2 with a 12 exposure ISO 400 roll of film. Finished it yesterday and had it developed. Picked it up today and, lo!, my images are good! Even if I am constrained with ISO 400, f/8 aperture, and shutter of 1/100 or bulb. Have to count "one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three...." while shutter is pressed. Hehehe!
Today's the first birthday of my kumpare's unico hijo. It would be celebrated at Teriyaki Boy, Eastwood, Libis.
As requested, I would be the photographer for the event. The party would be from 11AM to 2PM.
There were lots of food, games, prizes. The kids truly enjoyed themselves.
After the party, hitched a ride with a friend (with her family) since they would be going to Rockwell. At least, it would be nearer to our house. Strolled around and did some window shopping. And then... I saw it! A store, Graphic Designed Lifestyle, selling lomo cameras. What do you think I did? Hehehe!
(I think it would be "safer" to get the fisheye before I really get "hooked" on lomography...)
Then, rode a taxi to Glorietta, went to Burger King for a late merienda and blogged. c",)
I have been having issues with my netbook only having a resolution of 1024x600. Some software, even games, won't run with this resolution as their minimum requirement is 1024x768. Then found from the internet that you can change it (temporarily) in order to run the software with the resolution requirement. What to do? Right click on the desktop and choose "Properties". In the "Settings" tab, click "Advanced", a window would appear. Choose the "Monitor" tab and uncheck the "Hide modes that this monitor cannot display". Click "Apply" and "OK". Adjust the resolution you require.
Decided to watch the movie which opened last week (do not "feel" the movies which opened this week...)
Starring two veteran actors, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, Righteous Kill is an action, drama movie about two veteran cops who holds off retirement to catch a serial killer who kills "dirty" and "scum" of society, leaving a poem and the gun used to kill the victim. Definitely, just seeing both Al Pacino and Robert De Niro on screen is "explosive".
After the movie, bought a gift for the birthday party I am supposed to attend and take pictures of, accessory for my prescription glasses, and office wear. Then, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at Italianni's.
It would also be a kick-off for the advanced class of Inner Vision.
It was a night of food, drinks, ice-breakers, and presentation. Our batch has the most attendees. It was fun. We parted ways around 11PM.
Finally, I was able to receive the pasalubong of my friend whose company she's working for sent her to Thailand. Aside from the pasalubong, I got a Starbuck's frappucino. Yes! Thank you, thank you...
I showed my officemates the keychain and they all liked it (but it's mine.. hehehe!)
(Writing this after being awakened by sounds of firetrucks...)
Always wanted a backpack that could carry both my camera gear and my laptop. The one being offered by Lowepro is too big for me. Good thing I discovered Crumpler.
Having our Makati office relocated, have to be in Makati to pack documents, etc. yesterday. Unfortunately, have to cut short my packing and go back to Ortigas for a meeting. Good thing the meeting was short, I was able to buy me a Crumpler Keystone, enough time until the next "flight" of the shuttle back to Makati.
It's around 12:30AM and I was awakened from my light slumber by sounds of firetrucks passing in front of our house. Actually, some of the firetrucks were still in front of our house as they cannot go near the burning structure as the streets leading to it is small...
Finally, picked up my new prescription glasses around lunch time. Came from Greenhills to Makati, and spent the rest of the afternoon in our Makati office to pack-up since those in our floor would be relocated.
I am supposed to go back two weeks after for a check-up but I have to be sure to use my new glasses whenever I use my computer and read.
The call I received yesterday would be a big decision for me. I pray that I make the right one..
But first, on to the movies with me!
Hellboy 2: The Golden Army is an action, adventure, suspense movie about a tough-talking but soft-hearted demon hero who, with his team, would protect the people who feared him. I forgot, there's also romance.. between Hellboy and Liz Sherman who are now a couple, Abe Sapien and the princess.
After the movie, strolled around the mall because there's a SALE!!! Then, attended the anticipated Mass and had dinner at The New Bombay.
My friend wanted to buy a laptop, as a replacement to their broken desktop. She made a good "buy"... c",)
While on the way home, holding an empty cup of Zagu, was not able to find a trash can in SM Makati Department Store. My observation was confirmed when I asked one of the department store's guard about it.
Then, I recalled an officemate commenting that the cashier of SM Supermarket also were not provided with chair/seats. Aside from being the cashier, they also act as bagger. Imagine that... standing the whole day!!!
Come to think of it, even our guards were not allowed to seat and to wear jackets (inspite the cold)...
Having a headache last Monday and suspecting it is being caused by my eyes, decided to have it checked. Besides, I have noticed, sometimes I have blurry vision when reading SMS messages from my mobile phone, sometimes it is clear as day.
While waiting at the clinic's lobby, saw in the news the earthquake which occurred in Japan and in Indonesia, just a matter of minutes difference. Hope there's no casualty.
According to the doctor, I've got an "old eye" (presbyopia) in both my eyes. My right eye has a very slight astigmatism. Then, I chose my frame (a Pierre Balmain) made of titanium. The doctor recommended the Nikon Web Lens. I would be getting my eyeglasses in 4 to 5 days.
It really takes time to choose a frame. I was deciding between the Nike brand (also made of titanium) and the Pierre Balmain. The latter's design gives "pop" to my face... (not the pimple-kind... hehehe!)
Reading the form given by my eye doctor, saw one of the tests taken was meiobian gland dysfunction, which could be mistaken as dry eyes. Since the doctor did not give me any medication, except for the new prescription glasses, I guess I don't have said eye dysfunction...
Weather has been unpredictable, thanks to typhoon "Marce". Unlike last Monday's heavy downpour, it was just continuous light rain. Thus, did not expect to have a problem getting a ride a home as soon as I stepped off the MRT. In fact, strolled around Glorietta before deciding to go home.
Alas! There is a very looooong line in the jeepney terminal with no jeepney on site. Thus, decided to call my brother's driver, Manong, if he can pick me up. Considering the traffic plus the people he has to drive for (my nephew, niece, brother, etc.), I'll be the last on the list. Ergo... movie!!!
Babylon A.D., starring Vin Diesel, is a drama, sci-fi, thriller movie. A mercenary hired to deliver a package from a post-apocalyptic Europe to a megapolis New York. As expected, there would be lots of action as he tries to complete his quest. The package is a young woman with a "secret". I was not able to start and finish the film. Started the movie where Vin Diesel was picking up his package from a convent, left the movie house (since Manong has already arrived) where Vin Diesel and the girl is in the hospital... c",)
Today is the monthly meeting of our camera club. The theme would be black and white. Plus, we are to submit photos of the models we took last month, minimum of two per model.
As part of our camera club's requirements, I have to make a presentation of the best images I took--this is to become a full-fledged member.
I would say, today is a very good day for me...
One, I have become a full-fledged member.
Second, one of my images for black and white won as 10th place! (Would post it once winners competing with other camera clubs have been announced. Would also share my story about the subject of my image.)
(Whistles...)
Adobe Photoshop Tips:
Changing to Black and White 1) Image>Mode>Lab Color 2) In "Channels", leave "Lightness" visible. Adjust if necessary. 3) Image>Mode>Grayscale 4) Image>Mode>RGB Color
Workspace It is preferred to have the color of the canvas in 50% gray. Choose 50% gray in "Swatches". Then, SHIFT+Paint Bucket.
Since we would be attending the funeral in the afternoon, decided to go first thing to Glorietta to have my pictures for our camera club's monthly theme printed.
The mall opens at 10AM. And it is just a little after 10AM but the line to get stage passes for the free concert by Boys Like Girls which will start 5PM today is already long.
Waited for my photos to be developed then proceeded home.
Around 1PM, we are already on our way to the funeral parlor. The Mass is 2PM. The cemetery where he will be laid to rest is in San Pedro, Laguna--a looong way from Pasay.
After the funeral, they dropped me at Glorietta, attempting to attend the anticipated Mass. But it was too late as we arrived at the mall a few minutes before 6PM. Thus, have my pictures of the funeral developed and met with my friends for dinner at Phobac.
Rushing home from work, had to take the MRT coach open for everyone since the train is already at the station (they allot the first coach for women, children and the elderly). Besides, the train is not that full (which usually is during peak hours).
Spent the whole ride standing. Not one of the men (won't put "gentle") offered me their seat! One even faked that he is sleeping...
Then, the "sleeping" man suddenly stood up when the train is nearing Ayala Station. The other guy beside him is not sure if he would move. I said, "Never mind dahil bababa na rin ako (transalation: I'll be stepping off the train)." I feel sorry for his wife (notice the ring on his finger?).
Upon arriving home, ate dinner, dressed down to go do the funeral parlor for the wake of my mother's friend/co-teacher's brother. Funeral would be on Saturday.
