Our Story Now Begins

© Joselito Briones

Yep. Finally happened. I got my copy a couple of weeks ago. Have a listen.


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Jane's, before

© Joselito Briones

Beautiful day. Mati and I decided to take photos of Jane's living room, where we'll be spending the next few days, before we completely mess it up. Sort of a before and after picture. I'll try to post an "after" picture later. I took photos, above and below, using the Olympus E500, while Mati used his Voigtlander with ultra wide-angle lens.


© Joselito Briones

I've shown you a photo of this living room before, of course, in case you're wondering why it looks familiar.


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Jason Bourne

© Joselito Briones

This is another photo from the "Bourne Ultimatum" premiere in Leicester Square in London the other day. My guess is that one wouldn't think him a celebrity if one bumps into him somewhere, he looks like your everyday nice guy next door. He's constantly got that almost-shy constantly apologetic smile on his face. It's a credit to his acting and on-screen persona that he can carry both art films and action blockbusters.


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Ha!

© Joselito Briones

Am still here of course, spending most of my time in Wil's kitchen (photo, above). I know I owe you quite a lot of stories already, but I'll try to do it little by little, or maybe not. Am not really good at backtracking. I'll just show you photos of things that I've been seeing here in London.


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Star appeal

© Joselito Briones

I was in Leicester Square to buy tickets for a West End musical and I stumbled upon the premiere of "Bourne Ultimatum" in Odeon Theater. The stars of the movie were there, including some other celebrities, so I was just happy snapping away.

Photo above is of Julia Stiles, who's now been in all three Bourne movies. She's very beautiful in person, and seemed nice enough to fans. Oh and her hair, perfectly set.


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And, jazz... feet...

© Joselito Briones

I spent most of the morning on my back, trying to get the perfect pose for a picture, a la "jazz handssss....", only with my feet. I can't even remember where I bought this pair of socks.

I also don't know which is more troubling, that I have such colorful socks, or that I have socks with individual toes, or that I can spread my toes like this.

In the afternoon we did our grocery shopping for the whole week.


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ROTFLMAO

Ann emailed this. So funny!!!

According to the poster: (byronfgarcia)
"1,500 plus CPDRC inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu, Philippines at practice! This is not the final routine, and definitely not a punishment! just a teaser."


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The Fall of Bastille

© Joselito Briones

The photo above is of Ronnie and Jerome, taken during the Regent's Park picnic that followed "The Fall of Bastille" (a.k.a., their official partnership registration here in London). I've got way too many photos on that day, having had 3 separate events to commemorate the occasion... the ceremony itself in the city hall near their apartment in Baker Street, this picnic in Regent's Park, and a Boat trip along River Thames.

This was taken 14th of July, Bastille Day. We didn't tell either Ronnie and Jerome that we'd be able to make it to celebrate with them, so they were very surprised to see us during the ceremony.


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London trip confirmed

© Joselito Briones

Mati has been for sometime asked by his company to work in England again, but he hasn't really been agreeable with the terms they offer, so he's declined it (and it's in some other city, not in London). This time they offered him a short-term assignment instead (6 weeks) in London, so he took it. I've also got several things to do in London (Ronnie and Jerome's partnership ceremony, Wil's housewarming party, iStock minilypse), so I'm tagging along. So yeah, for the next 6 weeks starting Friday, Mati and I will be in London.

Photo above is one of my absolute favorite places to visit in London, the National Portrait Gallery, taken during my recent trip there. Okay, it's actually the building behind the ornate wrought iron street lamp and kiosk. I've always been fascinated by the human face as photography (and drawing) subject, and this place has a treasury of the different styles different personalities have been portrayed.


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Dark Room

© Joselito Briones

This time I made sure the film rolls are in my bag, before going to Frankenlabor. Managed to do a bit of grocery shopping too. Photo above is a building I always pass by on the way to the supermarket.

I had the apartment all to myself. I used the toilet as a dark room to process the Tmax 100 films that I used in New York and California, with Rodinal (I only brought the Ilford XP2's to Frankenlabor for processing, I don't have the chemicals for that).

I think most of them turned out well, they're now hanging in the walk-in closet. Can't wait to scan them.


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Green

© Joselito Briones

Eric phoned with a very exciting news. He finally got his green card! That was pretty quick, and he himself was very surprised, he wasn't expecting it until after he comes back from his upcoming trip to the Philippines.

Photo above was taken last time I was in New York, in Central Park, close to the Metropolitan Museum.


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Summer fun

© Joselito Briones

This is another scan, of one I took in Union Square, in New York. The moment I pointed my camera to them, these kids just started making faces.


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California Street

© Joselito Briones

This is one of the images that I like most among the black and white photos I took in San Francisco. I'm still scanning, so more black and white photos coming.


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Teeth needed cleaning

© Joselito Briones

Busy busy. Went to Frankenlabor to pick up test strips and bring color films for processing. Went to dentist for "professional" teeth cleaning. Then back home. Uploaded some photos including one, above. Frankenlabor again to pick up the films and to bring disc for printing. Marktplatz to buy some herbs. Asian grocery to buy some vegies. Upload some more.


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Powernappers' Duel

© Joselito Briones

I started scanning some of the films that I processed the other night. Above is one of the photos. It was taken in Bryant Park.


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Test Prints

© Joselito Briones Third day in a row that I went to the photolab. Today I picked up the Ilford XP2 films, and dropped a photo cd for test printing, including the one above, of Mati. XXX

Forgetful

© Joselito Briones

Stupid me. I went to Frankenlabor to bring the films I used on my recent trip for processing, only to find out, upon reaching the photo lab, that with all the other things I bothered to bring (umbrella, digital camera, shopping bag), I forgot to bring the film rolls. I thought, well, it can't be too bad, I can still do grocery on my way back. Only, when inside the grocery, I found that I forgot to bring money. How stupid is that? Wasted a good hour and half for nothing. Must be really getting old.

Photo above is from the same series as the shoot with Vicki and Zack.


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Touched by Music

© Joselito Briones

This is from the same shoot as the other day, with Jared. It would've been much better had he been using an iPod earphones, unfortunately I forgot to bring mine.

Catch up time starts today, loads of travel clothes to wash.

Phoned Carmona, today being father's day and all...


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Last minute lunch treat

© Joselito Briones

A bit rushed and stressed today. I did some last minute packing, passed by Jane's office in the Flat Iron district, then to Wall Street to meet up with Godfrey for lunch. The lunch itself was rushed, we grabbed some soup and sandwich, while he told me about the new house that he and Scott bought (bigger, closer to Manhattan).

And now, flying back to Germany.


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Jared

© Joselito Briones

I took some photos of Jared, above, today. Most of the photos came out well, the only problem I had was focusing the lens, because it's the old manual lens for the OM-1, so it doesn't work with the autofocusing function of the DSLR. Another downside that I noticed is the "glow" that looks constant now from most of the pictures I take using the DSLR. In the photo above, it's most noticeable where the suit sleeve ends and his hand sticks out, there's a pronounced "glow" against the dark suit.


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A Life-changing moment

© Joselito Briones

"you would not believe the day i had. ugh. right after school at 1230 i went to the mall to buy alla those things. its so random that everything i got was on sale. haha. so everything was less than 30 dollars. lmao. i was so embarresed tho. as soon as i went back to school, i went to a teacher to ask him to tie my tie for me. ha. i did a lot of walking. since i went to the mall taking the bus. and then when i got home, i didn't have enought time to rest, so i just got ready and then did more walking. -___-"

The above rant, of course, is from Kebbs, today being his promotion ceremony, as related to our failed shopping mission last Sunday.


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More travels

© Joselito Briones

Noel drove me to the airport today, after I drove Ate Uding to work, and after the post office thing to mail Alex's photo CD. I guess that's about it. Bye bye California again, until next time.

Photo above is of Eric, around the block where he lives in Roosevelt Ave, in Queens, taken last month.


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Portrait of a struggling singer/songwriter

© Joselito Briones

The struggle, in this case, is internal. Not being able to sooner put out something that he knows he's perfectly capable of making, having opted to rely solely on himself to complete his project, not being able to constantly muster discipline to regulate the progress.

He's really good at it too, I heard one of his tracks and was really impressed. One that he has since discarded as unusable. I thought it perfectly good, if technically wanting polish (he made it a few years ago). Reminded me of a more layered "Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You)" by Aqualung.

I hope for his own sake he finds direction sometime soon. One can get lost in a struggle for a lifetime without realizing it. Then it's too late.


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We ♥ Shopping

© Joselito Briones

Kebbs, Ate Uding and I spent the whole afternoon shopping in downtown San Francisco. We went to Saks, Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Zara, H&M, Lacoste, and Urban Outfitters, looking for a plaid jacket for Kebbs. I don't know why, he suddenly thought it's the perfect thing to wear for his promotion ceremony (he'll be in grade 9 next school year). To his disappointment, we didn't find one. I guess he'll just have to wear something else.

He also decided that the medium-sized t-shirt that I bought him after he helped me take photos last week is now too tight for him, so I bought it back from him. The fact that something that's too tight for him fits me should be for me either a source of pride, or shame, I can't decide which. So yeah, now I have a t-shirt that says "NERD" in front and "booger 69" at the back. Hmmm.


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What protein do you want with that?

© Joselito Briones

Loads of food today. Noel made bulalo (beef and marrow soup) and bought a huge fried fish, and fresh lumpia (my mom's favorite), and Ate Uding made Maja Blanca (a corn-based custard). Yummm.

Norie and Dave dropped by to pick me up, they've decided to treat me to dinner. I don't know why. Am not one to say no to food. So, hey. We went to PF Chang's, a Chinese Restaurant chain. Food was not authentic, but good. Ambience was a bit off, and waiters were very cordial. Our waitress in particular was all smiles, too bad we put her under very defensive mode when we all laughed when she asked, referring to the fried noodles, what "protein" we wanted with our noodles. I don't know, was it too much to ask to be asked if we wanted pork, beef, chicken or shrimps? Oh well.

Right after the dinner we passed by some new housing development in Hayward. Norie and Dave are looking to move again, because of the constant heavy traffic that they experience every day on the way to work, from Mountainhouse.

Right after viewing the houses, I drove to San Jose to meet up with and take photos of Alex (above). I got there quite late, it was a good thing that the sun sets so late these days. The photo above was taken past eight at night already, in front of a parking lot.


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Target

© Joselito Briones

Today's one of those really really hot day. Kebbs and I went to Target to get some groceries, and toiletries. Ended up getting a really chea jersey pyjama bottom, too.

Photo above is in front of Target's old location, I took it while walking towards the BART station last Friday, on my way to Norie's.


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Zac and Vicki

© Joselito Briones

This photo is from the same session as yesterday's, of Zach.

Watching the TV channels that Kebbs watches, I learned a new word today... "vommenting". It's a cross between vomitting and commenting, or vomitting comments. Kinda like what I do here sometimes, I guess.


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Vicki and Zac

© Joselito Briones

Kebbs helped me take photos of Vicki and Zac today. We did the shoot in Buena Vista Park in San Francisco. We went shopping for him afterwards. He got one t-shirt that says "NERD" in front and "booger 69" at the back, and another one that says "Yes, it's really me!" Photo above is of Vicki.


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Great Mall

© Joselito Briones

I thought I'd go to Great Mall in Milpitas to go bargain shopping. I ended up with: 2 Incotex trousers and 2 polo shirts for Mati, one t-shirt, belt, and hoodie for me.

The photo is not from the mall, it's from Montgomery in downtown San Francisco.


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Have a laugh

© Joselito Briones

Another photo from last Monday's walk-about in Chinatown.


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Craisins

© Joselito Briones

It just looked interesting, so I took a photo of it, in Chinatown last week. It turns out this is dried cranberries, also known as "craisins". It's supposed to be good for you. Whatever.


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Take me to the ballgame

© Joselito Briones

From Mountainhouse, we dropped by Kev K's apartment to bring him some pizza, then to back to San Lorenzo to pick up Kebbs and Noel. Today's itenerary: a baseball game.

© Joselito Briones

The match was between Oakland A's and Minnesota Twins, in Oakland Coliseum. Not much seemed to have happened. The more interesting aspect, of course, was the audience. Three kids sitting next to me made running commentaries on every player, every play, every past play that reminded them of the current play, cheered and booed both teams at the same time, sang with every song played, and called every food vendor that went past. And yes, at the end of the game, I found out that very few people go there to actually watch the game. It's more like an excuse to pig out on junk food. People didn't seem to mind bingeing on junk food, because unlike vegeing out at home and consuming the same huge amount of junk food and beer, their excuse here is that they're actually participating in active sport. Never mind that the participation is limited to cheering and jeering. And sitting on their collective asses, not too different from watching the game on TV at home. Even the parking lot was a big venue for barbecue parties. We had our own share of food: popcorns, hotdogs, nachos, etc.

The highlight of the game had to be the fireworks afterwards. We had to wait more than an hour after the very brief game to watch the fireworks, because the game ended way before it got dark.

Seeing the news on TV when we got back to San Lorenzo confirmed my feeling after the game, judging from the cheers of the crowd, that the local team won.


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Norie and Dave and Ginger and Meynard

© Joselito Briones

Photos above taken at their backyard (Ginger and Meynard's).


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Mountainhouse

© Joselito Briones

I thought I'd spend the night at Norie and Dave's, in Mountainhouse (photo, above). I took the BART to Pleasanton, then Norie picked me up from the station. Dinner was at a Japanese place in Tracy.


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Jaded

© Joselito Briones

This is one of the photos I took in Chinatown last monday. I took several, the old lens of the OM-1 SLR proved very useful in doing this kind of photography (very shallow depth of field).


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You like apples?

© Joselito Briones

This is a photo I took from Cesar's backyard.


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Linked Arms

© Joselito Briones

This is one of the photos I took during the Carnival parade in the Mission District.


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Masonic Hide and Seek

© Joselito Briones

This is a photo I took at the Masonic Center a few days ago, when Ate Uding and Kevin went there for their citizenship ceremony.

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Carnival

© Joselito Briones

I went to San Francisco today to watch and take photos of the Carnival parade in the Mission District. I also went to the "Bullet Art Festival" in Octavia and Hayes, but other than the funky headgears which are basically snap-on hoodies (they're really just hoodies, no sweater nor jacket attachment) and cute t-shirts and grocery bags, there wasn't much to see there.


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Pancakes

© Joselito Briones

I can't remember when the last time was when I had pancakes this way, but it surely brought back memories. For breakfast today we had pancakes topped with sugar and drowned in condensed milk. Have you tried pancakes this way?


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Patio's new chef

© Joselito Briones

We dropped my parents off to the airport to check their luggages in. Their flight was cancelled. Supposedly, the plane that they're gonna be in didn't arrive from Manila today. Philippine Airlines. They were giving hotel vouchers to anyone who needed to stay in the city before the rescheduled flight tomorrow. What's very disturbing though, is that, even as my parents paid penalty fees to have their flights rescheduled for today, Philippine Airlines isn't offering compensation fees to the passengers who are involuntarily rescheduled for tomorrow. Go figure. If you want your flight rescheduled, you have to pay, if they reschedule your flight, you get nothing. NADA. Lesson learned: fly with other airlines.

After checking in the luggages, we went to Patio Filipino for dinner. Cesar works there. We had the usual goodies, plus one, the very tasty Paella done by their new chef Lavinia (photo, above). She was imported by the restaurant from the Philippines, where she was a chef for one of Manila's leading caterers, "Mingoy's".


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Solitaire for two

© Joselito Briones

Whoever invented solitaire should be given a Nobel Prize or something.

Now that my parents are both retired, it's one thing that keeps them interacting together, keeping them sharp. They bicker over every game, who gets to play it (they only have one deck), and one almost always tells the other how to play it properly. To comic effect. Presumably so, because I always hear them laughing so much whenever they play solitaire together.

I took photos of them at Cesar's backyard, they're going back to the Philippines tomorrow.


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Golden Friends

© Joselito Briones

My Itay's down with a cold today, so I ended up driving my Inay to Hayward, close to where I lived when I moved to the U.S., to visit her friends before she goes back to the Philippines again. It was a beautiful afternoon, in one of those days when I wonder why I ever left California. Light refreshments included Vietnamese-style roast pork sandwiches and fresh fruits.

It must be one the best things one can wish for in life, having friends to be with and chat about nothing in particular.


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Mint

© Joselito Briones

Two new Americans. Mom and son. It's Ate Uding's oath-taking today for U.S. citizenship, and Kebbs being a minor, he automatically became an American citizen too.

The photo above, taken shortly after the ceremony, would've been much better in color, only I forgot to reset the ISO setting of the camera after using a high value indoors, so the noise was just too much. I thought making it toned monochrome would look better.

Yep. I'm back in California, pigging out with my mom's home cooking. She made oxtail Kare Kare yesterday.


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Japanese in East Village

© Eric Olivarez

I didn't have anything planned yesterday. Eric and I ended up going to East Village, just to walk around, and take loads of photos, like the past couple of days. We had lunch at the Japanese hole-in-the-wall that sells octopus balls, in 9th Street. On the same street, we passed by Hoshi Coupe, the place where I used to regularly have my haircut, and decided to have one before flying to California today. It turned out that Regina, my usual stylist, doesn't work there anymore. A girl named Miki did my hair this time, and she did it really well. The photo above was taken by Eric.


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Comically interwoven lives

© Joselito Briones

It's raining here today, so Eric and I decided to go see a show in Broadway, with Jane. Unfortunately, the shows we wanted to show weren't available on a discount at TKTS, so we decided to watch a movie instead (yes, we're THAT cheap). We saw Spiderman 3. It's as comic-y as anything can get, silly plot, silly acting, but very expensive execution and special effects. The sandman sfx was really good. We watched the movie in Astoria, in Queens (Steinway). After the movie, we went for a coffee (starbucks, photo above) and then dinner (pizza, quesadillas, mozzarella sticks, ribs, etc.) around the area from the cinema, spending about 4 hours just sitting and eating and chatting and laughing.


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Stop!

© Joselito Briones

It's come to a full stop. The iBook I brought with me for my travel this time died. Just like that. Kaputz. What does that mean? I won't be able to process and show you photos I take regularly. Not until I get back to Germany. After a month. Until then I'll have to just show you oldish photos.

Photo above is one such photo. This is a broken pedestrian traffic signal, taken in New York during my previous visit.


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Carrie lives here

© Joselito Briones

Eric and I were walking around New York and taking photos yesterday when, just when I was done taking photos of a neighborhood, an older man, probably on his way home, carrying grocery bags, told us that the actress Sarah Jessica Parker (that's) Carrie Bradshaw to you) lives on this particular house (photo, above).

Today we went to Century21 and DSW for bargain shopping, unfortunately I wasn't very much into it because I had a headache. It didn't help that it was dark and drizzling the whole day.

We then went to a computer repair shop in Elmhurst, one that Eric knows to ask if they could repair the notebook, unfortunately, they said they also need time to at least diagnose the computer, time I don't have, so we didn't leave the computer there.

In the evening we just stayed in, even as we were planning to go out with Jane.


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Hi from the Apple store

© Joselito Briones

Hey there Jimbo - am right in your 'hood today, and I'm sending it straight from the Apple Store in 5th Ave., not far from the place in the photo above, taken last March. The hawks in the photo, Pale Male and his companion are celebrities, of course, they've caused so much press coverage a few years back when the owner of the apartment whose balcony they decided to nest on tried to evict them.


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