Author Archives: rence

Daily Blog #15 – …ish

Posted in Personal by
I did say any shot would count

I missed a few days no thanks to the recent eruption of Taal. Last Sunday, instead of leaving work early, I decided to take a nap at the sleeping quarters. I didn’t manage to get a single minute of sleep there. Instead, I just lay there for 2 hours enjoying my screentime cheat day.

You’d think that because of the cheat day, I would’ve learned about the eruption, but somehow I didn’t. I went to Alabang to try and watch Star Wars, despite the lingering headache. When I got to ATC, it was uncomfortably packed with people. I decided to postpone Star Wars for another time—I’m sure they’d keep it in the cinemas for a long time. (It only resumed screening last Jan 8, a week after the 2nd batch of MMFF movies premiered.) I already know the whole plot of the movie thanks to the internet reviews.

I still haven’t heard of the news by this point.

I only learned about it when I got home. Everyone at the house were glued to the TV watching the events unfold. I wanted to go there. There’s a storm entering the country. Storms plus volcanic eruptions equals volcanic lightning. Volcanic Lightning is one of the most metal things on earth. This type of lightning is formed by negatively charged ash meeting the positive charged sky particles in its own home. The result is a metal concert diretly on top of a volcano, complete with smoke machine, flashing lights, roaring thunder, with some hot lava.

I will resume my blogging, exercising, and shooting streak tomorrow. I’ll probably extend my phone screen time to 3 hours on my work phone. 2 hours is too much for me.

Daily Blog #12 – Wrong feelings

Posted in blog, Personal by

Today at noon, Taal volcano erupted for the first time in 40ish years. As expected, there’s a flood of “Pray for us” tweets and the public advisory retweets showing the meanings of Phivolcs alert warnings.

Most people are afraid of the seemingly imminent eruption, but oddly I am more excited than afraid. If you know me intimately, you’ll know that I’m afraid of things that people would find mundane: like running out of conversation topics while hanging out with a friend, people who sound mildly angry, and other really dumb things. [other examples: tall slides, kiddie roller coasters. I also used to be afraid of riding escalators and elevators (I only managed to get over my fear of elevators when I was already in my 20’s)] …you get the point.

I really find it weird that I’m not afraid of deadly toxic gases coming out of a volcano or deadly loud volcanic explosions (the neighboring Krakatoa volcano killed a lot of people through the sheer loudness of its explosion).

I missed posting a blog and taking a photo yesterday, partly due to the eruption, and partly because I’ve had the bug since Saturday. I attempted to sleep at work (after shift, of course) but my headache bested my desire to rest.

Daily Blog #10 – Denial?

Posted in Personal by

Today I felt the signs clearer than ever. While on the ride home I can feel my face folding painfully at faintest exposure to sunlight. I didn’t have sunglasses or other means to cover my eyes other than my hands. I’ve never felt this kind of pain before. It’s either I’m getting older and weaker against sleeplessness or I really am no longer enjoying my work.

Daily Blog #8 – Niche

Posted in blog, Personal by

As the shitty photo implies, yes, I have recovered my oddball camera.

The title of this post is actually completely unrelated to the camera, and more of a reminder to myself to listen more closely to that faint nudge:

– that my personal path does not follow the common trail in photography

– that I don’t belong to that group. I have to pave my own path.

Daily Blog #7 – Adjusted day

Posted in blog, Personal by
2017 called… he wants his toy back.

I know it’s already the 8th of January, but according to my body clock, the 7th is only about to end the moment I fall asleep.

Good news, someone picked up and surrendered my 360 camera! I lost it sometime last month during the year end party. I’ve already accepted that it was lost, never to be found but there it is!

No deep epiphanies to day, and it’s okay.

Daily Blog #5 – When the tides are turned.

Posted in blog, Personal by

I am so used to being on the losing end of a battle. On those rare times when I’m on top of things (like today), I’m not sure if I’m doing a great job of being kind to those who need my help.

Panic works on both directions: fearing superiors, frustration on junior/s. I am starting to understand the necessity of stoicism in self improvement.

Daily Blog #4

Posted in Personal by
There was supposed to be a video, but apparently wordpress does not allow short clips for “safety” reasons. Too bad, it looked nice…

I can sense the desire to buy new stuff weakening as I minimize my exposure to the internet…especially youtube and reddit. It’s still there. In fact, today, after I found out that Star Wars still isn’t showing in the country until January 8 (because of stupid MMFF), I went to the usual shops: the Apple and Sony stores. To be honest, it was the price of the stuff I wanted that made me not want to get upgrades for the coming months.

Perhaps, and most probably, the desire will not ever leave. I think I need that balance again.

Daily Blog #3 – 0.001 is technically not 0

Posted in blog, Personal by

My screen time for today is still under 2 hours. Three days without reddit and youtube really frees your mind by a surprising lot. I still tend to bring my kindle without actually reading it, but the amount of podcast I am able to listen to has greatly increased.

Today’s photo is still a far cry from my 2017 365 Project, but that is to be expected for a no-zero-days post.

Any movement is better than ZERO movement.

Daily Blog #2 – Things to be thankful for

Posted in blog, Personal by
Ayala MRT Station, just before midnight.

“Thankful” is not one of the words you could use to describe me. I’m obviously trying to be positive here. Looking back at 2019, I did have some nice stuff to be thankful for:

  • First time to go out of the country—and did it solo. Not a lot of people would dare go out of the country alone, especially on their first time! But I did!
  • I climbed Mount Pulag at the beginning of the year alongside one of the—if not the—best landscape photographers in the country. While I didn’t get to closely mingle with him, (thanks, social anxiety!) it was still nice to be in the same company with some of the best photographers in the PH. (in fact one of the photographers in our group won the Photoworld Manila photographer of the year award for 2019)
  • Improved the few remaining friendships that I have. While I didn’t gain new friends, I’ve learned to trust—and hopefully gained their trust of—current acquaintances.