Doggie Birthday

At our place it's sort of unusual to celebrate your dog's birthday. But that didn't stop me from planning a simple birthday party for our dog, Trouble. It was his first birthday and it was also a thanksgiving for giving us an adorable dog who's such a sweetheart. We just had a little afternoon snack and had close friends and, of course, a few pooches as Trouble's visitors. I can always tell that Trouble is happy and blessed to be a part of our family. He's loved and cared for because he deserves it.

Here are a few snapshots from Trouble's 9/11 birthday.

Point and Shoot (Kodak KB10)

My sister and I bought this camera for only 300 Php way back when we were still in college. We had to buy it for documentation because we were off to a concert in Cebu and we didn't have any camera with us. Before leaving for Cebu, we dropped by the Kodak shop in Dumaguete and bought this point and shoot camera. After a few years, it was kept in dark corners of the cabinet since it was already the digital era. But as soon as I got into using analogue cameras, I remembered about it. I saved it from captivity and let it live another life. Now, it's one of my main cameras. Good thing we never thought of giving it away or worse, to a final resting place in the trash. I must say I'm loving shooting with it.

 

Pedal Experience

Early Saturday morning. The sun is still close to the horizon and the heat is yet to sting for a few hours later. Perfect time to pedal on the bike. Checking each tire, pinching them for enough air. Pushing the bike forward, pressing the brakes and finding they're stopping good. Stretching my limbs for some warmup before I settle myself on the saddle to take off on a ride around the city.

Off I go. Feeling the breeze on my skin and letting my hair float back behind my head. Going on bike rides is something fulfilling. It's like a daily routine that I have to complete in order to survive. 

My thigh muscles contract as the slope gets a bit higher but i don't complain. Instead, I pedal more to reach where I should go. The sweat has dampened my back and trickling down my temples. I just wipe them away and get a feeling of satisfaction that I did ride my bike today.

I make full stops for rest and to savor the view. And when my analogue camera is loaded, I take it along with me so I can take pictures of my bike stops. Realizing I can go places without spending on gas and at the same time giving my muscles some activity and not contributing any to climate change.

There's a certain feeling of freedom that I can't seem to put to words in detail. For a second there I knew the world has invented something good.

Kilian Martin and his Jaw-dropping tricks

I just learned about this amazing skater last month and I was having goosebumps while watching it. I'm not a skater but I was struck by his videos. Kilian integrated freestyle skating with street skating and the sum of that just makes me speechless including the skateboarding world. He innovated skating and making it into a work of art. 

 

 

Alcoholics Anonymous: Lab Rat Experiment

As I was browsing lomography.com, I came across this tipster where the roll of film is to be soaked in alcohol. I gave this a try. After exposing the role, using 70% Isoprophyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol), I soaked it in for 20-30 minutes. After letting it dry for days, I had it processed without any special instructions. Tadah!

Benesse Toy Camera

Got this toy cam from an online garage sale at vedicnation.multiply.com. I've heard that this Japanese brand of toy camera gives awesome results and it's especially popular among the Japanese youth. The labels are all in Japanese and I absolutely didn't know what they meant. But I dare say, the features are just what I've been looking for-- multiple effects in one little plastic camera. It's with a built-in flash, starburst, blurry, multiplicity effects. It's a very fun camera that I have to bring it along with me all the time.

Here are sample shots from my long weekend in Dumaguete.

Blurry effect

With flash

Normal shot

Multiplicity effect

Starburst effect

DIY redscale

End of the Magical Era

After watching Harry Potter 7 Part 2 I thought, "No more Harry Potter."
I basically grew up patronizing both the book series and the film installments. I got a hold of Book 1 when I was in my sophomore year in high school as a present from my cousin. I was instantly enchanted by the time I finished it. From that day forward I never missed reading the subsequent books.
As soon as a movie adaptation was released I always had to watch them in the big screen. The actors are just right for their characters; as an avid reader of the book I'm satisfied of them bringing the characters to life. Although it hasn't completely covered the best parts of the book, the movies were satisfactory.
For all those years that I looked forward on the release of the books and the movies, I was always inspired of the story's true message. My thirst for a quality story that entails goodness, friendship, love, and honor has been provided for. I must say I'm thankful to have been a part of this era.
This is farewell to the solid three friends, to Hogwarts, to the awesome professors, the spells and incantations, the adventures, and the wonderful story that will surely remain with me. Good riddance, Harry Potter!