..and here comes Gin Blossoms

High alert mode after hearing the news that one of rock music’s more famous bands was going to have their concert here. We were able to get the tickets weeks ahead before the scheduled date they were set to play at Waterfront.  I can pretty much relate to their music since I had been listening to their pieces way back in high school. I guess this would come out that I'm not that young anymore now. haha. Anyway, I didn't bring my dslr because the hotel has always been strict to prohibit the audience from bringing one before so I just had to ask from Lyndon for his ever reliable Canon Powershot.  I had been borrowing this way beforeI got myself a toy.
 Front acts were Farenheight 43 and Sandwich. Farenheight 43's from Australia and described their music as being "acoustic college pop-rock", comparing their sound to Goo Goo Dolls and Switchfoot. Their influences include Angels & Airwaves, Paramore, Mayday Parade and John Mayer. They played one of their famous songs, "The Rescue" and "Angels Lullaby". There were not a lot of people yet in the front row seats since it was just around 7 at that time when they hit the stage.  Still, we were glad to see them perform.  I downloaded a couple of their songs when I got home.

They were cool enough to stay at the lobby after the show to greet their fans and agreed to have pictures taken with them.

Richie: Vocalist, Gemma: Guitarist, Grant: Bass, and Elmo (cute guy beside me, hehe): Drummer

For Sandwich, their music has much evolved overtime from heavy and underground sounds like grunge, hard rock, and rap-rock from their early albums to a more youthful and dynamic music since “Five On The Floor".  They entertained us with "Sugod" and "Betamax".

Last but definitely not the least would have to be Gin Blossoms.  Opening act was was "Follow You Down".  Everyone went berserk to this and started clapping.  Their latest album, No Chocolate Cake, went out last Sept 2010.  They played their songs alternately from their 90's hits and the ones from their new album.

Special casts, my friends:

Left to Right/ Top to Bottom: Lyra & Stephen <3, Sheila, Mhec2x, Charisse
Andrew, Lyra-Mhec-Reynald, Suzette, Adylyx, Marjorie & Reynald

Everyone had a great time with the concert and with the company of each other.

Where the Dead Sleeps and the Undead Weeps

October 5

It was a very stressful Tuesday at the office with a lot of deadlines and issues to attend to.  If it comes to a point that my mind couldn't think straight anymore, I need to divert my attention to something else. I missed photography.  I used to take pictures every single day even when I was just inside my room, lying on my bed. Then it hit me - why not have a photo shoot with having my coworkers as subject?  I emailed everyone in my department if they are game to have a black and red motif photo shoot at the cemetery. I was skeptical that they will like it, maybe find it a little too weird. Surprisingly, they all went berserk with the idea because they haven't tried it before and Halloween was fast approaching, just in time for a goth theme. A lot went shopping for costumes for days & others made their props from scratch – Yes, Internet usage rose, sleep was deprived, and many took their leave credits. Did I mention that even those who had resigned were game enough to help out and join the session.

IT WAS INSANE!!!

October 22 8:15 PM

I was about to prepare my things to bring to the office for the shoot but then power shortage happened where everything was pitch black.  Of all the days, this had to happen! I didn't have a choice but to wait - I needed to make sure that the props, make up, costume, and my beloved camera were intact.  I wanted everything to be perfect - after all, this was my concept.

October 23 4:00 AM

There was a lot of commotion already where everyone's googling the make up and the looks they wanted to achieve.  I on the other hand got work up to my sleeves since one of my associates was absent. Though I was excited for the shoot, I had to make sure that work at the office wouldn't get affected.

A couple of hours after, everyone was ready except me since I had to do most of their make up.  I had to finish mine in the car.  We went to this public cemetery near SM where it was just accessible to everyone.  It was a great day, no cloud in the sky.  It had been constantly raining for days and so light was perfect to complement the shoot.  I told everyone that I needed their full cooperation.  Whatever I say that they must do should be done asap.  After all, 20 subjects against 1 was no joke. 

Here are some low resolution photos during the shoot:

Here's almost about everyone doing the wacky pose. 

That's me in the middle doing the double peace sign :P

I will never forget this day – my first ever photo shoot concept. Pressure was everywhere especially on my part where I became an instant makeup artist, props maker, director, and photographer/ model rolled into one – After which, I ended up sleeping 16hrs straight.

As I've said before, you guys were crazy and I love you!!!

Road Trip South Trip

I know now what causes the problem where I can't login to this page and directly connects me to the other one - I should have logged out from my gmail.  It turns out that this account is under my eudoramail. Oh well....


Anyway, with regards to my post last April 30, I just thought of sharing with what had happened.
Gonna post some pictures as welll since I can't remember the details pretty much.


May 1 2010
At almost 9am, my coworkers texted me that they can't come: Some had to attend some family matters, others got shy, while some were not able to wake up on time. Still, I was pretty determined to go on a road trip.  It had been a long time since I have done this.  Also, with all the work that I had to do the next day, I might as well just enjoy my Sunday.
At 10, the guys came to pick me up.  It took them a long time to reach my place simply because they had to get the car cleaned up - they were pretty excited that I would be bringing friends along this trip, girlfriends that is. Boys will be boys.  Too bad I wasn't able to bring one.  They told me not to back out ~ they don't want to be seen w/o a girl being tagged along.  It sorts of ruins their "image". Pffft. Whatever that is, I really don't mind - as long as I get to see Cebu's South :P


So off we went...


First stop was at Barili's Fish Pond.  This was where you can fish tilapia and have your catch grilled. If you find it tiresome, you can just order without the hassle of fishing - still, where's the fun in that?

Serious Mode

They're selling corn as well just in case you don't feel like eating fish...

Can never go wrong with these pair of chucks...

They were able to catch around 8 but we ended up having three cooked...

After fishing, we headed to Cebu's tallest waterfall, Mantayupan.  We thought that the falls pretty far from the pond but much to our surprise when we asked for some directions from the locals, we got there in a matter of a minute. Yes, that close! They say only a few people know about this fall since Kawasan Falls would always be the first thing that would come to everyone's mind when it comes to Cebu's waterfall.  Still, it was a pretty site to see.  It just got recently got open to the public. It provides electricity on the neighboring towns.

It was awesome to see its magnificence up close...

There were about the 2 falls in this area and this one I was surprised to see tons of people...

Here's a blurred documentation of our trip here...better blurred than having none :P

That would be Lyndon at my back and Mic2x with the white shirt.

We didn't stay long here since we wanted to go to a couple of places more.  Originally, we planned to go to Maribago but since we started late, we might just as well drive around Barili.  We ended up at this beach.  I wasn't able to get the name though.  Some people were giving me the "villar sign" since I was wearing orange and election was fast coming up. lol. 

We ended up at Palalong Place.  Most of the people who are heading to Negros pass this place.  I'd been to Negros like around 4 times but I think I had fallen asleep during the trip and missed this scenery.

Beauty of lined mangroves meeting the blue sea :)

We stopped at Jollibee for a quick snack at Carcar since it was already 5. After which, we headed home. It was a good thing that the weather was great and the company I was with was even better.

Thanks Lyndon for inviting me on this trip. Qb and Mic2x, it was great meeting you.  It was fun!

-hiatus mode-

I really had a hard time logging into this account for weeks.  It somehow goes directly to my other account which was created out of curiosity and had never been used. Arggggh!!! Hate it when things like this happens.  So many things had happened.  I'm not so sure now that I can recall most of the fun moment details.  Hope the pictures that I will be posting soon will suffice :D

But for now, I had to run.  TONS of work to be done due to the month end...

Later then...

A Glance at Summer

There has been a lot of pictures that I had taken during our road trip (collection of cool nature photos of South's beauty), unfortunately I feel there is something wrong with my battery charger.  When I tried to recharge my battery, there would be no indication that it is charging.  Grrrrr!!!  I don't want to buy some generic charger for my battery.  I want my nikon.  Let me rephrase that, I do not wish to shell out money to buy ANY camera accessories that I already have.  Well a charger is a necessity so it pains me a lot not to have one right now.  It's weird though that out of nowhere it just stopped working :(

Anyway, I haven't slept a single second due to the election that happened yesterday.  PlusI got addicted to some computer game. haha.  I was meaning to take a shot of my inked pointer nail as some documentation that I was one of the citizens who took the first Pcos Votation but then I realized that my camera is not working.  boohooo!  Ok, I was waiting in line for almost 2 hours before I got to my room to vote.
It was tiresome and uber HOT!  Since the precint was just near our place, I decided not to bring any money - wrong move!  I kept on glancing on that Selecta Stand selling pop cycle sticks.  URRrrrggh!  Still, I wanted to test myself that I should just wait for my turn to vote.  See? Im not completely ADHD. hehe

A friend/ formwer coworker who happens to work now at Singapore told me that she would be posting the pictures she took of me during our Bohol Vacation - 2 months ago when they came here to revisit.  Anyway, let me share you one...

A glance before summer ends...

Wandering Wanderer

An officemate who I hardly see (he works during daytime), out of nowhere sends me an invite via YM. 

Friend: Wanna go for a roadtrip?
Lyra: Where to?
Friend: Me and a couple of friends are planning to head way south.  Want to come?

It has been a loooong looong time since I went out for a roadtrip and I don't see a single reason why I shouldn't give myself a break from all the stress work has been giving me lately. My feet have been itching to bring me somewhere other than my workplace, school, and at home. My thesis for my masters has been in a hiatus state right now since I couldn't come up with a problem.  Isn't that a major problem to start with - having a problem of not having a problem? Yeah, this clearly would be the only reason why not having a "problem" sucks.

Friend: YOu can invite some friends if you want.

So I did invite 3 of my friends but apparently they had something to do or probably still reluctant to the idea of going on a roadtrip with three strangers. Well, whatever their decisions might be, I just hope that this Sunday would be a blast. 

 

I don't really mind sitting at the back of the car for hours, not saying a single word. 

As long as I have my beloved camera, a rootbeer, and a pair of sunglasses - then I'm a happy camper :)

Hope you guys will enjoy your weekend as well!!!

Rock the Vote...plus more!

A week more to go and it's election time once again.  I've never been the type person who goes berserk when it comes to politics - specifically here in the Philippines.  I see it as that bad ass competitor of showbusiness with a lesser physique to boot. haha.  It has always been a roller coaster ride with the news they bring. 

They say if you haven't registered or even took an ample of your time to go to your respective district to vote - you don't have the right to complain how they governed your country.  So be a good citizen and vote who you think will be the lesser evil to run this country.  Now, im sounding too pessimistic.  Like I said, I don't get too excited with our politics here.  Don't get me wrong - I love our country (really really do); however, most of the time - I think the way we do our politics around here is a big joke.  And that's an understatement.

2010 would surely mark a difference for us since it is a first for the country to do a nationwide fully automated elections - from counting of votes to transmission and canvassing of results.  There's always some talks about the probability it will fail and that cheating will be involved...but isn't there always cheating involved?  The best that we can do is just hope and pray things would go smoothly.  If that's a lot to ask, then let's just hope that there would be lesser cheating that might happen and fewer people who get hurt.

Whatever the case may be, I just hope that we're going to get leaders that have their hearts and minds in serving the country and not more about filling up their own pockets.

To make things easier to know your precint this coming May, click here.  It's a precint finder that would provide you your corresponding precint number and polling place.  Pretty convenient, right? 

In other nonrelated news, in the midst of doing this blog, I saw a couple of people near my cubicle standing up to watch something.  I didn't mind it at first until I saw this...

Remember the picture I posted on my blog yesterday?  Now, a couple of houses are on fire.

Time check: 715AM.

There are a lot of people living here who are working on a graveyard shift and probably are still at work or perhaps just got into bed. 

Hope no one gets hurt... :(