Gil

© Joselito Briones

Here's a picture of another one of my nephews. His name is Gil, "bunso" to Irma. It's his birthday today. I've shown him this photo and unfortunately, he doesn't like it. I suspect, from the pictures that he does like, that he prefers to look tough or reserved in his photos. He's at that exciting age where projecting an image counts more than anything.


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I guess it's never easy walking in somebody else's shadow

© Joselito Briones

Well now, I get low and I get high,
And if I can't get either, I really try.
Got the wings of heaven on my shoes,
I'm a dancin' man and I just cant lose.
You know it's all right, it's OK,
I'll live to see another day.
We can try to understand
The New York Times effect on man.

- BeeGees, "Staying Alive"


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Announcement

© westerndesign

Dominic, a friend and colleague from Hong Kong who has since moved back to Paris and cofounded "western design " with his friend, especializing in retail shops (including Nickel in Chelsea, Manhattan, among other equally fabby ones in Paris), has announced recently the creation of "Building", its "filiale de Maîtrise d’œuvre". I won't even try to understand what that is. Sounds exciting though, doesn't it? I guess it's because it's in French with all those weird letter combinations and accent grave, and I don't understand it. I'll ask him to explain later.

Here's a portrait of him, from when we still worked together in Hong Kong.

© Joselito Briones

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Snow

© Joselito Briones

We got snowed in! I didn't think this place could have so much snow, but it did. First thing we saw on TV are videoclips of kids playing in the snow, so early in the morning. I guess they've been waiting for this one. The city looks so different and feels so different. It's so nice and bright and pretty.

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More of Taal Volcano

© Joselito Briones

Here's a digitally enhanced film version of the photo of Taal Volcano, as viewed from Tagaytay. I think last time I showed you the digital version of this, it was accompanied by complaints about food there, so I'm making this one into another foodie, with a recipe for fresh fennel atsara (more like a salad).

Fresh fennel salad (for 2)

Ingredients:
1 bulb fennel, finely sliced and thoroughly washed,
1 small red onion, roughly chopped
1 carrot, diced or cut into decorative shapes
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
fresh chillies or pepperoni - as hot as you can take, optional
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp. vinegar
palm sugar to taste
salt and pepper

Mix fennel with vinegar and lemon juice with hand thoroughly, squeezing the fennel slices. Add ginger, palm sugar, carrots, chillies, and onions. Toss. Add salt and pepper. Chill before serving.

It goes really well with any grilled or roasted meat.


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