Table for two, finally

So I flew to the US a few weeks ago not because of the lure of the land of milk and honey, but more importantly, to spend time with the other half.  Allan was spending St. Patrick's Day at Chicago and I flew in from Ireland (because I just had to have more than just one Paddy's Day celebration?).

 

It was the weekend when I took photos again and promised to keep at it. Chicago's architecture and the river dyed green gave me the perfect beginner-again practice shots.  Photos posted at my flickr site...but I have to say, this one's my favorite:

Welcome to Dublin!

Allan finally arrives in Dublin.  Not to stay, but only to visit for two weeks.  His first few days included struggling with recovery from the long flight and the shock of the soon-to-be-winter weather.  As a result, our first weekend was slow sightseeing-wise, but he's been to the shopping areas and have done some tours of the cities, so I think most of the important Dublin places are covered.

Photos are starting to pile up, but not as much as I had thought.  Tomorrow, we drive West though..and I expect thats when most shots will be taken.  For now, here's my favorite portrait:

sharing a link to another blog

I promised Allan I would post something about a recent event, so here it is. Clue: it has something to do with shiny round objects some people are sporting these days :)

the Batanes incident

I've waited almost 9 years for a chance to see Batanes, around 4 years for my very own good quality DSLR + UWA lens and 4 months until I return home. When all of it finally happened, I didn't expect that I would have along with them, a story that will always lack the actual emotions I felt during that time and someone I will officially spend the rest of my life with.

Salamat sa lahat ng well wishers...I hope you excuse this burst of mushy-ness :D

(My photos from the trip to follow in the next few days)

Paracord

accessory to a crime

To regular folks, a "despedida" party would consist of food, drinks, going-away presents and the company of friends. But, if you throw in my boyfriend and his "war" friends and you've got yourself a despedida turned into a scheme worthy of crime TV.

The objective was to acquire and subdue the target and deliver him in one piece (preferably, I think) to the venue. All sorts of plans have been hatched, including staging a looting of his house, grabbing him off the street in the middle of a routine jog and utilizing any means -- physically or chemically --- to subdue him. The idea was that he'd be out somehow someway, allowing transport to the venue. In the end, the final plan involved a note, a briefcase, radio, rubik's cube, chocolate bar, bottle of water, LED light,calculator and the trunk of a car. His car.

I won't go into detail as this is their story to tell. I will say that I had orignally planned to just be a witness, I never thought I'd end up participating.

milestone

Be forewarned: Long entry ahead...

Many moons ago, I picked up the old film SLR I didnt realize we had at home and started shooting with friends. Eventually, an SLR was on the list of my “Things to bring to work on a daily basis”, along with my wallet, cellphone and kikay kit.

When people I met in photography forums started talking about digital photography, I dreamed of owning my own DSLR someday. In the meantime, I concentrated on Aperture, Shutter and Composition. I never felt that I would go into Photography as a career primarily because unlike those around me, I never felt that the talent came naturally. It was something that I had to work hard on in order to achieve results. I argued that I was already working hard on programming skills for my day job, I think getting into another profession where I have to exert a lot of effort on 24/7 would drive me crazy. One at a time only please, one at a time.

So photography was the fun, creative learning part, whereas work was the more serious, learning part. Doing both eventually proved beneficial, as I finally bought my very own digital SLR, Buddy in 2004.

And then I started to really get older. By that I mean, I started getting more responsibilities at home. So Buddy never got any new playmates, save for a basic flash and a 28-105 lens, both secondhand. Ultra-wides were top of my “want” list, but I just couldnt get them...so again, I concentrated on taking my kit 300D and secondhand gear to wherever work took me and took as many photos as I can, however I can, the best that I can.

While all of this was happening, entry-level digital SLRs started popping out left and right, and I feared that Buddy would eventually go obsolete. I made the decision to sell Buddy, partly because I needed the finances, partly because I wanted to make sure that he still had value when I sell him and partly because I wanted to do something drastic to force me to upgrade. So Buddy went along with the kit lens and flash. And since then, I’ve never owned a camera.

Up until my 30^th birthday.

Its the single most expensive gift anyone (parents excluded) has ever given me. That, plus the fact that it IS the single most relevant gift that anyone can ever give me. I’ve never been able to replace Buddy because of so many reasons, yet I’ve always, always, always wanted to get myself a new DSLR. For the longest time, I would go to places and attend events and I would always feel that one thing was missing....my DSLR. In the year and a half without a camera, I fear I’ve lost the little talent I’ve worked so hard to acquire and I’ve always been fearful at the back of my mind that I no longer have a creative and fun bone in my body. Photography was my fun, creative, adventurous side. Without a camera, I am just your plain working girl. 9-to-5-or-so job on weekdays (and usually beyond) and Tita-turned-mommy-turned-household-help on weekends.

Now that I have this still unnamed new toy in my life, I can start re-learning photography again, I have reason to start exploring places that can be captured in photos, and I can re-learn how to see things differently again. I'd be starting from scratch, but I dont really mind. At least I'm starting from somewhere.

Thank you. You've turned my birthday into the milestone it really should be. With every photo I take, I will always be reminded of how much thought (and cash!) you've put into getting me this gift.

counting up: days 17 to 22

happy thoughts:

taking Ally to the salon to have her haircut. she's been asking me to take her for weeks now, but I was away for a while and couldn't. if she had access to my calendar, she would've marked september 7 in big bold red letters. but she didnt have to, I took her last sunday. so now she has her bangs and she looks nice with them.

IDOL fever!! it was a great event, a live gig..something I havent been to in...years! (I think). at the same time though, its a bit sad that he's leaving the group. just in time though, I have the signed CD I promised carl haha! oh and we may be neighbors in the future too. to my fellow groupies, eat your heart out hahaha!

the happiest thought of them all so far: a decision has been made. i hope its the best choice...i do know that its best for us both :)