There's a fine, fine line..

"There's a fine, fine line between a lover and a friend
There's a fine, fine line between reality and pretend
And you never know 'til you reach the top if it was worth the uphill climb.

There's a fine, fine line between love
And a waste of time.

There's a fine, fine line between a fairy tale and a lie;
And there's a fine, fine line between "You're wonderful" and "Goodbye."
I guess if someone doesn't love you back it isn't such a crime,
But there's a fine, fine line between love
And a waste of your time."

-- Kate Monster, Avenue Q

... 'nuf said. Pfft!

A Beach-y Affair -- Part II

Two days after I have arrived from the beach, I still haven't unpacked my (clean) clothes from my bag. Two days after I have arrived, I was still found wearing walking shorts whenever I go outside of the house (which I don't normally do). I guess I was still on vacation mode. I guess I was waiting for something to happen -- a closure.

Two days of waiting. Two days of wondering and wandering. Two days of anticipation.. Two days of all of these when it finally came to a halt the moment I got what I have been waiting for -- the pictures of my affair on with the beach.

Compared to the instant gratification of the pictures brought about by a digital camera, I felt more excited and more attached to those that I took on film. Thankfully, they were too good (for me) to be ever considered disappointing..

*****

I was only spending two days in the beach, since I have to fly back to Manila early morning on the third day. That's just about 2 days worth of sun I could use for taking pictures. Two days to manage taking pictures with three cameras and at the same time having fun.

My D40x took the spotlight on the first day. But on the second day, it was time for my lomo cams (Holga and Jill's Vivitar) to take the beating front seat.

My day started pretty late, around 9am. I was a little disappointed in the morning knowing that I missed the break of day on the beach. I was planning to capture it on cam. When I got up, I took out my Holga and loaded it up with one of the films from my dwindling film supply and took a walk on beach to catch the morning sun.

Another day begins in paradise

Just like the other day, the beached wasn't
packed with people.

It was particularly windy that day..

..perfect to try something that I haven't done before or maybe I wouldn't be doing if I didn't have the thirst for excitement.

I changed to my swim wear and brought myself to those people who usually handle the activity that I was eyeing on. I told them that I want to do it around 11am. But right after I paid them the whopping fee (which I think is a bit insane), they lead me to board van to drive me all the way from Station 1 to Station 2 where a boat was waiting for me.

The boat I was riding on sped off far from the island..

..where we rendezvoused with a bigger, faster boat.

While speeding off to the middle of the sea, the manongs in the boat gave me forms to fill out (I think it's a waiver) and started handling me out gears that I need to put on. It wasn't long enough when they instructed me to stand by the pole at the back of the boat, get a good grip on the rod position above my head. The next thing I know, it felt like I wasn't moving anymore. My feet dangled and all I could see was water..

My feet dangled from the harness I was strapped on.

With a blink of an eye, I saw all but a thread
holding and anchoring me to the boat.

The boat dragged me forward..
a (super) chute held me up.

It was 15mins of hanging by a thread and
complete relaxation accompanied with a
spectacular view in front of you.

When I got back, I got some lunch and took a little rest from the ride. I felt queezy on the boat ride back. Nonetheless, my Php 2,500 was worth it. I had fun. Although I have heard that Puerto Galera offered parasailing for only Php 1000. Um, ok. I'm in Boracay. Rates aren't gonna be the same. After lunch, I took yet another walk in the beach before I deciding to go for a swim..

In the middle of all sea and all sand.

A bangka waiting for it's passengers.

Sailboats on parade.

Kaladkarin, Boracay style.

Beach beach beach..

..And more of it.

Time passed so quickly when you're in deep thought while at the same time enjoying the view and yourself. I didn't realize it was almost sunset again. I usually have a different sensation flowing through my body when the sunsets. At the same time, I remembered what my friend Jedd told me the other night. That is, to capture a different view of Boracay. I don't think I needed an expensive camera to do that. All I needed was my plastic camera.. :D

The grotto seen at sunset.

I went to the sea to be as close as possible
to the sailboats. Held my Holga up and took the shot.

A race to the sun.

I was satisfied with my shots. So I sat by the shore watching and feeling the waves gush through my feet (and the sand through my swim shorts) to just enjoy the last few hours (or minutes) of sun.. of the Boracay sun.

Sarap magbabad..

I wanted that pic of holding the sun in my fingers.
Pfft! More practice (using a Holga)! :D

Manila.. Back to reality.. Though it was all but some time alone, I had fun. Really, I did. Whoever said one can never have fun alone?

The sun jump starting the day at the port while it
 bids me goodbye and see you again!

Gallery: Speed Out

Being different amidst the vast blue sky.. the deep blue sea and the majestic blue sails doesn't mean one will be out of place. One thing is for sure, you'd blend right in..

Haaay, Boracay..

A Beach-y Affair

A couple of months back, I hatched a plan to go visit once and for all the paradise island of Boracay. I think almost everyone I know has already gone to the island except for me. I can just remember how J reacted one time when he was being offered by Pam for an assignment in Boracay. J said, "Boracay na naman?!" Thoughts in my head would go something like, "Pfft! Ako nga, hindi pa nakakapunta.."

Since the island's inception or perhaps it's rise to popularity, this is the first time that I will be setting foot on it. You can just imagine how my expectations started building up in my head -- picturesque views, beautiful people, powdery sand, clear waters, etc.

The night before the trip, after packing my clothes, and all other essentials items, I made sure I had enough space in my bag to accommodate the cameras that I was planning to bring. I want to make sure that I have all the necessary means to make this "first time" of mine memorable. If not for the photographers / lomographers that I have met, I would think that packing three cameras in my bag for a trip is insane. But that's not the case right now. For this trip I brought along my D40x, my Holga and the Jill's Vivitar (whom I received specific "care" instructions for).

For this trip, it was Cebu Pacific's fly me to the island. Well, to Kalibo to be exact since Cebu Pacific offered cheaper fares compared to that of the other airlines which land in Katiklan in an airport 1.5 hours away from Kalibo. I was scheduled to fly Sunday at 3:15pm. But due to some unforeseen events, Cebu Pacific had to cancel the 3:15pm flight and re-schedule it for 5:30am the following day. It was a day late for the beach but come to think of it, there isn't much to see in the beach when I fly at 3:15pm and arrive in Boracay at around 6pm.

Sooner than I expected, I was at the Manila Domestic Airport lining up to board the plane bound for Kalibo, Aklan. I was half-awake when I boarded the plan, but the warming sun greeted and started pushing me to get a camera a take a shot:

Sunrise as seen on air.

An hour later, I was on the road enroute to the Katiklan sea port. An hour and a half drive coupled with a 15-minute boat ride, I set foot for the first time in Boracay.

Boracay Island, early morning.

As soon got settled in.. I was on my swimming shorts armed with my camera heading out to the beach ready to shoot and capture as much of the island's beauty as well as having fun at the same time.

Nothing really interesting happened in the morning. I started getting frustrated and distracted (over lunch) that I should be able to take great pictures before heading back home. I tried shrugging it off and enjoyed my lunch. After lunch, a couple of interesting things showed up..

Lone foot print in the sand.

A girl watching after her family's slippers
while I take a picture of 'em.

A girl exercising or maybe showing off to
her buffed Japanese boyfriend watching from afar.

A dog taking a swim.

A kid mastering the technique in building the
sand castle of his dreams.

Even before the weather started changing it's mood, I decided to put down my camera and take a dip in the water. It sure was hot. Really hot. I started feeling all sticky from all the sun-block that I have applied earlier. The clear, cool water of the sea was more than enough to relax and cool my sweating, sticky, hot skin.

I enjoyed the water so much that I lost track of time. The last time I checked, the sun was high up in the sky giving off that hard afternoon light. The next thing I knew, subdued sunlight started coloring the island. It brought about additional life to the island's paradise scenery.

A boat anchored by the shore.

Dogs and its' owner playing catch.

Relaxing view from where I was sitting.

Late afternoon sun started drawing
beautiful silhouettes.

Sailboats paraded the horizon despite the sun's
desire to wrap up the day.

My first day in Boracay comes to a close.

It sure was a fun (first) day in Boracay. It could have been a lot more exciting and fun if it was enjoyed with a bunch of friends. Nonetheless, some time alone in an island as beautiful as this isn't too bad at all.

Who Was Your Last

Ok. Miski ayaw ko. Kelan ko gawin..
From Jason:

Rule #1: If you open this you GOTTA take it.
Rule # 2: You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING
unless someone messages you and asks
Rule #3: Answer the following..

Only answer TRUE or FALSE

Q: Kissed more than one person on top of your top friends? TRUE
Q: Kissed someone you didn't like? TRUE
Q: You like someone? TRUE
Q: Held a snake? TRUE
Q: Been suspended from school? FALSE
Q: Kissed in the rain? FALSE
Q: Sang in the shower? TRUE
Q: Sat on a roof top? FALSE
Q: Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? TRUE
Q: Broken a bone? FALSE
Q: Shaved your head? FALSE
Q: Played a prank on someone? TRUE
Q: Had/have a gym membership? TRUE
Q: Donated Blood? FALSE
Q: Had your heart broken? TRUE
Q: Broken someone's heart? TRUE

"Who was your last?" just be 100% truthful

LAST PERSON.
1. You hung out with? RYAN
2. Last person you texted? PAM
3. Last person you slept next to? Err.. I forgot. Basta it starts with a "C". LOL
4. Went to the movies with? FIFI, CHRIE, et. al.
5. Went to the mall with? RYAN
6. You talked to on the phone? RYAN
7. Made you laugh? FIFI
8. You hugged? JILL
9. You kissed? R.E.D.
10. Made you cry? ****

WOULD YOU RATHER...
1. Be serious or be funny? FUNNY
2. Drink whole or skim milk? WHOLE MILK
3. Die in a fire or get shot? GET SHOT

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY...
1. Sun or moon? MOON
2. Dark or light chocolate? LIGHT CHOCOLATE
3. Left or right? RIGHT
4. Sunny or rainy? SUNNY
5. Hugs or kisses? HUGS
6. Where do you live? Umm.. MANDLAUYONG
7. Rock or Techno? TECHNO
8. Do you want to get married? YES
9. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? TWIRL
10. Do You Cook? NO
11. Current mood? ANXIOUS

IN THE LAST 72 HOURS HAVE YOU...
1. Kissed someone? (on the lips)? NO
2. Sang? YES
3. Been hugged? YES
4. Like someone you can't have? NO

Rule #4: Repost this as, "WHO WAS YOUR LAST?"

Change Your Passwords

I received an email from a colleague today requesting that I change my password in the shared application that we are using. I really appreciate the effort of reminding me to change my password since the system doesn't give out password expiration warnings. Once your password expires, that's it. You're locked out.

What baffles me is the the accompanying note that came with the reminder: Send an email confirmation stating that you have changed your password. This can be used as an article of evidence of your compliance for our security standards.

Compliance tracking, that's fine with me. But um.. Through email?

Sure, that will be cool if we were only a handful of resources doing this email confirmation thing. Put it this way, there are almost 200 resources who would be sending this email. Isn't it so much of an overkill to offer your inbox as a drop box for these confirmations? Well, if the email is for tracking purposes, and since this occurs in a regular interval, wouldn't it be wise to devise an alternative way to track these? I mean, the FIRM offers solutions to clients by streamlining their processes, developing/customizing applications suited for the client's needs. Why can't teams within the firm develop something that can streamline our own process?

Assuming resources are not an issue, our situation is very much comparable to  a very skilled carpenter capable of creating masterpieces for others from the ground up and yet is incapable of building something for himself. Pfft!

Gallery: Greens

It's pretty hard to imagine how most of us tend to take for granted how these things affect our lives. Without 'em..

..there'd be no wood to build with
..there'd be no paper we could write on
..there'd be no book we could read
..there'd be no rubber to cushion our fall
..there'd be no fruit we could eat

Most importantly, without 'em there'd be no air we could breathe. Pffft!

Gallery: Cushion

My trip to Rizal was memorable in more ways than one. One, I was improperly dressed for our muddy, wet, rough and inclined destination. Two, my fresh-out-of-the-box-newly-purchased white sneakers got it's beating. I tuned myself out from what could happen to my shoes (thinking it might end up in a similar fate like that of my other shoes) and instead focused myself on trying to have a good time. Below are two of my best shots in my attempt to capture the running water from one of the falls that we visited:

Experience Tour

And so I have heard and confirmed, Ms. Bootylicious herself has decided to include Manila in her Experience Tour for a one-nighty show on November 7, 2007. For sure, those people who like and idolize Beyonce will make all the necessary effort to grab a ticket for her show. I already have several people (whom I know) in mind who might just do that. :D

*****

In a totally different story but a related one.. The FIRM, a.k.a. my company, (yes, this is totally related, believe me) has been been constantly looking for talents, skilled personnel to augment it's workforce. I'm pretty sure Giles would be able to relate to me when I say that the company has made a lot of effort trying to encourage us corporate slaves employees to help out in their quest.

Believe me, they have encouraged employees by enticing them with monetary rewards, free coffee from Starbucks, free boxes of donuts from Krispy Kreme, limited edition company-branded merchandise, iPods, movie tickets, trips to Boracay / Amanpulo, etc. Kulang na lang kotse at saka bahay at lupa!!

This time around, it took a unique turn or maybe I should say a really interesting turn. I have read a notice from the recruitment team that the FIRM is a sponsor (I just don't know how much of a sponsor we were) in Beyonce's Experience Tour. And the kicker? They are encouraging employees to make as much referrals they could to get a chance to win tickets for two to Beyonce's concert.

Well, it's only now that I have heard of such marketing scheme in a company such as the FIRM. But hell yeah.. I think they made a pretty smart move to do so. Kelangan ko mag-refer! Si Beyonce yun no!! :D