hot head

It was past 11am when we decided to pack up and head towards home. Everyone was tired and hungry too. Well, I was no exception. I just want to go home, eat lunch, and sleep. I even zoom ahead of the pack.

* * * * *

I passed by at the RIS to check what was the happening at the badminton today. I was also hoping there was food - I was really hungry - but got dismayed to found none. No choice, I went to the canteen and contend myself with noodles and soup. Well, that was better than nothing.

When I reach home, I saw this neighbor named Benjie taking up three slots in the parking space of our villa. I was quite offended because he is hogging more than half of our park area. I don't know what comes into my head - sleep deprivation perhaps - I park my car in front of one of his three cars. He sneered at me and said "Oi, dun ka muna mag park (Hey, you park out there)". I just look at him and said "Hay naku Benjie, alin ba sa tatlong kotse mo ang gagamitin mo? (Hus, which one of your three cars will you use today?"). He started yelling at me and was grumbling some vindictives. I looked back at him and shouted back "Ang yabang mo Benjie, at sinabi ka na hindi maganda sa akin. Wag mong sabihin sa iba, sabihin mo sa harap ko" (You're boast to much, and you said something bad behind my back. Don't gossip it to others, say it infront of me)".

He was flaming with anger and his eyes were dilated. He was ready to attack. So I took my stance and got ready to fight. In my calculation, this guy may be taller and bigger, but I can surely beat him with ease. I may be rusty, but a black-belter will always have the instincts to fight even after 20 years without practice.

However, his flare fissles out!

He conceeded and said "Tama na! (Enough)". Sensing no immediate threat, I lower my guard and look around. I saw, his wife watching us behind one of the cars. I thought, it is not a gentleman of me, if beat her husband infront of her. There are other times, for sure. Hence, I decided to stand down too.

I slowly went back to my car, and park it away from them. Without mincing a word, I went inside the villa and took my needed rest.

Hah! I was so hot headed today.

katutubo in action

After taking some hot noodles and cleaning up our camp site, we moved towards the great plains on the pleateau across the canyon. It was shooting time, and not only the photographers were eager beaver to display their wares, the models were already set to pose.

Indeed when we reached the spot, my colleagues wasted no time in setting up their strobist gears. Then they gently set our model Joanne between the strobes and gave her instructions. Oning and Merci on the other hand, took our model Kat on the opposite side facing the barren plains. While the other model Leilani, stayed in my Car with photographer DJ and Bambi.

It was amusing to watch them from afar. I could see Robert giving "complex" instruction to Joanne, while Merci (in black jacket) was busy asking Kat to roll over the sand. Heheheh... Here's how it look likes.

good morning ... Edge

Have you ever wonder what it's like to sleep in the desert and watch its sunrise the day after? It's a beautiful experience.

I woke up early and start moving around while the rest of the team were still asleep. I wanted to catch the sunrise so I climb on the nearby hill. Though it was steep, I persisted and made it.

I reach the peak just in time when the sun appeared full in the horizon. I readily took few shoots at the rising sun, and then waited for several more minutes before taking pictures of the landscape. What caught my attention was the pastel-blue hue in the horizon which was a beautiful blend to the golden-chrome hue of the rocks and sand on the ground. See picture below.

I also took several pictures of the Huraymilla Canyons. I tried experimenting on HDR technique and when done, shifted to DRI technique. I found DRI difficult as this was my time to explore such style. The result was beautiful, nevertheless.

Hey... visit my new site at Flick http://www.flickr.com/photos/sons_of_jorge/

the edge

3:05pm

My colleagues in Kubo Photography Club were already waiting for me at the Hyper Panda Takassusi. I was late - an hour late - but I was forgiven because I advised them, in advance, that I have some important rush at the office.

Oning, the team leader immediately gave us a briefing on the timing, driving speed, and destination points. The main objective was: we should reach the Huraymilla plateau also known as The Edge of the World before sunset.

The two SUVs went ahead, while I made a U-turn to pick up another model at the Riyadh Military Hospital. I thought, I will just pick her up... but gee... I waited for an hour at the gate. Trying to hide my disappointment, I still smiled and treated her nicely. Hah! If only I am not a gentleman, I really love to spank her in the butt!

I know I lost precious hours so I tried to make up by speeding up more than my average. I was running at 140kph along the Khurais Road and when I entered the Gasim Road, I zoomed to 170kph. That was fast, I know, but I was confident that my SUV Tecla (Hyundai Tucson) will not fail me plus the road is clear, wide and in superb grading.

I was able to catch up with the rest of the pack just few kilometers inside the entrance of the Al Oyaynah rough road. We all stopped for few minutes to shoot the sunset, then moved toward the plateau.

Our timing did not work as planned. Driving at rugged road at pitch black night was treacherous, hence we all agreed to slow down at less than 40kph. It is better be safe than sorry.

Finally, we reached our destination at around 8pm.

draft: 2nd attempt

I went home late last night, just to gather and prepare the raw data that I need. And this morning, I reported to office at 7:20am. I was very early, come to think, it is our weekend. I immediately dive onto the raw data and made several analysis for our work.

Believe me, I finished the job in a total of 27 hours what my predecessor took a year to complete. *wink* *wink* hehehehehe... Seriously, it was actually easy because I have done this before... a hundred times over. What's 18 years of work experience for, right?

12:15pm

Now... the draft!

I started staring at my computer screen and begin typing pointless words and paragraphs. I erase the draft, and start over again.

01:32am

First line: "Good evening fellow Toastmasters"

Second line ".... .... .... "

Can you see? I've been staring at my computer for over an hour and yet, I've written nothing. I guess, my mind was just tired. I need a rest to make it work! Besides, I have to leave at 2:30pm to meet up my fellow photographers at Hyper Panda.

draft: 1st attempt

Okay... it's time. I have to start making a draft for my piece in the International Speech Competition. And today, Wednesday should be a good time to do it! After making the weekly reports earlier, I should have enough extra time to sit down and write.

Hah! Wishful thinking.

Dr Khelbi, the big boss, talked to me this morning and asked if I could solve the issues in MOI Site, Civil Affairs, Passports and the King Khalid Airport... within today! Whaaat???? In one day? Of course, I said no! But he would not take that as an answer. He suggested that I could use the weekends as allowance, but not a day more than that.

Great! I could now kiss good bye to my draft!

advice from my mentor

Still reeling from that unexpected victory, I felt so "kind" tonight that I volunteer to drive TM Willy and TM Ramed to their place. TM Erick came with us... and that made the conversations during the drive... very very lively. Knowing Erick, huh! surely there's no dull moments.

Along the way, I confide with my mentor TM Ramed that I was surprised that I have beaten TM Roi. I acknowledge that TM Roi was not 100% at his best that night. He was suffering from fever and he was actually shivering while waiting for his turn. If it was not the case, I doubt if I could get my prize.

TM Ramed, the ever good motivator, just smiled and said "you can do better than that". He further gave suggestion on how to improve my evaluation. The points he raised where: not to dwell on the content of the speech but rather on the presentation and delivery; although I analyze the structure of the speech, I should have asked if the selection of the style was effective for the speech purpose; and lastly, I should have touched on whether the objective of the speech was accomplished.

Wheew!!! that was straight and truthful. I will surely, listen to that advice.

I also confided with TM Ramed that I am still not set on what to deliver for my International Speech. He suggested on talking about what's close to my heart, my experiences, and what I do. When I told him that I am planning of revising my Ice Breaker, he smiled and replied that some good International Speeches were actually Ice Breakers too.

verdict

I was the last evaluator, contestant #4.

While waiting for my turn outside, I teased TM Roi that I was only fighting for 3rd because the 1st and 2nd place were already reserved for him and for TM Erik. We both laughed when he responded "there's no 3rd place".

Well... when the results come out, I was honestly surprised when my name was called as the 2nd place. Seriously? I was wishing for 1st place (I am pathetic, am I?). TM Erick the 1st place.

Nevertheless, weeeeeee.... I won, 2nd place!

the evaluation

* * * * * * *

And how did I evaluate him?

I draw a lady with long hair, beautiful face, trim lined shoulders and well shaped arms, very sleek waistline, but with fat-bottom and short legs.

Here's how I deliver the evaluation:

{long hair}

The speech was beautiful as it easily connects to the audience because it talks about the pain and joy of love - something that everyone could empathize.

{beautiful face}

The introduction was powerful because you show us the face of the speech, what it feels when someone laments.

{trim line shoulders, and well shaped arms}

The speech was delivered into two classical approach of Progression, that is talking about past-present-future. You set the story in the past of the two characters and then progresses into the present, and then finally the future where the lamentation occurs. You also added the Contrast-Comparison style wherein you compare the characters and made a contrast on how the character progresses in time.

{very sleek waistline}

As for your STGOs

Though you delivered a beautiful speech, I was waiting for something else. Something that could make me cry. Maybe, the body was just too slim thus you trim too much meat in it.

{fat-bottom and short legs}

Furthermore, you also put too much details on the past and present part of the story/speech. I find the conclusion rather wanting. I really like to hear more on "beautiful moment" and then add more on the finale.

cramming

5:24pm

Hehehe... finally, the tidal waves of work subsided! The 'gods' in my workplace stopped stirring the ocean of problems! They must be tired, I guess.

With no seconds wasted, I sat on my desk, turn on the computer and lit the three 22" LCD monitors. Like clockwork, I made a draft on one monitor, Google for tips on the Toastmasters International Web site on the 2nd monitor, and Yahoo-Search for other resources on the 3rd monitor.

Hehehe... sounds like high tech, eh? Nah, it's not. I call it cramming! And I know, I am a good one.

Well... I finally made my final draft at around 7:12pm. Just in time when TM Gerry called up for a pick-up at the Dr Cafe. Hmmm, didn't I tell you that I belong to the Transport Committee? Wehehehe...

kill me, please

I am not prepared!

With the competition just few hours away, I was already thinking of making excuses not to attend tonight's Speech Evaluation Competition. I called James around lunch time, poking him with jest that I am backing out of the competition. Of course, knowing James, he easily got irritated... which I readily rectified by saying I was just kidding. But he didn't know, I was actually serious of backing out of the competition.

Oh my! If only my work load had been lighter and my deadline were movable, I could have at least browse the Internet and search for tips. And to make it worse, my boss just asked me to oversee an Sev 1 issue at the Airport.

Huwaaahhhh!!!! could somebody just kill me!

two meetings

I went out early today. I was meeting my cousing Johnis, who would hand me my Media Com multi-media system. I also want to gave gifts and money that she can carry on her vacation this coming 18th of the month.

I also had an appointment with TM Arnold that evening - we're suppose to buy trophies.

That made it two appointments at the same time. Hah! I set up two conflicting schedules. What what I thinking?

To solve the problem, I decided to meet both of them at the Potter's Haus. Not only that I can meet them, we can have dinner, too.

thinking of joining...

It was suppose to be just an idea and not really an intention, but the wishful thinking of joining in the two upcoming Toastmasters Club Level competitions: the Evaluation and the International Speech became real. Previously, I wanted to join but butterflies and cicadas on my belly always eats up my courage.

But tonight, a slip-on-the-tongue put me on the hotspot.

James, our VP-for-Education called up to ask for feedback on my last meeting's bobo as the Toastmaster of the Evening. The conversation, though cordial and sweet in tune, was confrontational in words. And my haste to end up the conversation, unwittingly, said yes to all the question he slapped on me. Only to realize later, that I confirmed that I will be joining the two competitions next week.

Hah! That's it! I'll be walking the path of my wish... hahahaha. What a nice dilemma that I got into.

After six months

That's right. It's been six months... over six months to be exact, since I last delivered a speech in Toastmasters. If I am not mistaken, I made that speech during our Induction Party last July 24th, 2008.

Then, there was a long lull.

Why did I stop writing speeches? I don't know! It just slip in my mind. I was not that busy at work. My photography activity was also on the slide. And my "extra" activities were also on hold. So what made me stop?

Duh! I guess, I played too much badminton!

Hahahaha... and the sad part.. I didn't improve. Wehehehehehe

Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon

The day ended without fanfare. In the office, everything moved in its usual snail pace clock cycle. My boss hibernates in his office, while I kept my office locked and spend the rest of the day sleeping. Yep, you are right. I do sleep in the office, well... just like my boss. hehehehe. Then I went home at 4pm, an hour earlier than my schedule. I could have stayed longer but was the only one left in the entire building. Everyone has left since 2pm.

* * * * * * * * *

I pass by at the Akaria Mall to buy a large Camera Bag at Al Swalim. My old Safro is no longer enough for my ever increasing cameras & lenses.

On my way home, I saw this stunning view in the sky. It was 5:35pm and the sun has just set. Two bright and shining stars could be seen on top of the crescent moon. I was awestruck that I stop my car and took a picture of the sky... using my Sony Ericsson k800i Phone. Of course, the resulting picture was ugly so I rushed towards home, hoping I could still catch the spectacle when I arrive home.

And truly, I hurriedly pick up my camera, long lens, a tripod, and proceed to the rooftop of the our building. I tried capturing a beautiful picture but honestly.. I don't know how to set my camera right. Tsk tsk tsk... not my forte, I admit. All I could salvage was one ugly overexposed picture.