James and Family

one of those rare occasions.

For the past two weeks I have been participating in what i would describe as the "theatre of the real" -- jury duty.

(I'm borrowing John le Carre's words to describe this, as le Carre was actually describing something else.)

While it has placed my work life on hold, it is a thing that I have been finding both disturbing and fascinating. And what I didn't anticipate was how mentally draining it would be. In between many long periods of waiting are moments of testimony that make for a surreal experience.

And that's all I'll say on that. For now.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from the days of the past week. That's it for now. Until I think of anything else to say, enjoy!

jacob's birthday
After treating us to a hearty meal on Jacob's birthday, Ate Malu checks our blood pressure.

resting outside.

on the bicycle.

bicycle party on Jacob's birthday.

barbecue at ramon & joyce's
the kids

Isabel at Ramon and Joyce's.

apartment buildings at Franklin Boulevard at Poppyridge Road.




miscellaneous

roses in the morning.

slippers when M left home for errands.

backseat drivers.


Visit from Joyce and Ramon.

West of Franklin Boulevard overlooking the railroad tracks.

Once, in the Philippines when I was a kid, I woke up and noticed a praying mantis standing at my bedroom door.

(Anyone who knows praying mantises knows how these evil creatures do this bouncing motion as someone goes near it, just preparing to pounce on you and eat you alive).

I was stuck in my bed with fear for about 2 hours, watching the mantis, praying that it would go away. Today, I can't remember how I managed to get out of the bedroom.

Yesterday, doing my (long overdue) gardening, I almost jumped when I saw this one, perfectly camouflaged among the long green blades of our agapanthus plants. And no, don't let its beautiful green color deceive you. After all of these years, they are still evil.

And you can imagine my sheer horror when I looked at this photo and found it staring right at me!


Clearing branches on one of my trees, I noticed that this bird on the ground was barely moving away. Either it was hurt, or it may have been protecting something. I decided to leave it alone. I guess I'll check the area later today to see if it's still around.


Kayla and Isabel playing around, fascinated by newly cut branches.


Take care till next time. Bye for now...

Taken yesterday.


We were glad to have Gari over last Sunday. We've been trying to get together for the past few months but kept missing each other. I know we both have been very busy so that's okay.



He got to meet Baby CC for the first time and was able to get back together with his inaanak (God-daughter). It was great, and unusual, to see Isabel warm up to him so quickly. It just goes to show how kids can detect one's "true" character... ;)

Continuing from Part 1.

Included in our LA trip was a visit to the Getty Center -- a definite highlight for me. I have been wanting to visit this place since the late 1990s.

The currently have a very interesting exhibit of Rembrandt's religious works. But being an architecture enthusiast, I enjoyed seeing the buildings themselves.

I had the opportunity, briefly, to work with Richard Meier's design team during my employment at San Jose, CA, as they were working on conceptual designs for San Jose's New City Hall. Working with RM&P (Richard Meier & Partners), and hearing his staff, and Meier himself, speak about his design, was absolutely thrilling for me. I will always have a fond remembrance of those times.


My goal as always was to take pictures that capture the "essence" of the place -- something I continually strive for, and in which I am not usually successful.

Surely enough when I got there, I felt overwhelmed because of the scale, not to mention the 3-yr old hurricane/daughter in tow. So I scratched my goal off and decided to just enjoy the place and shoot away at the whatever I saw.

At least it was a good opportunity to scout the facilities for the next time I visit. And we had a lot of fun. I'm glad my family was with me to share it.




The entrance block into the Getty Center.


Maila near the entrance.


A view of the atrium from the outside. (I didn’t get to find out what it is officially called)


An interior view of the atrium.


Maila was able to get this shot inside the Rembrandt exhibit. This, after I promised the security personnel that I wouldn’t take photos.

While it may look like I was taking in the details, my mind was constantly on 3-yr old Isabel, and what havoc she might be inflicting just a few yards away.

UPDATE (3.12.05): This painting, by the way, is a portrait of Rembrandt as Saint Paul in a turban.


At a railing near one of the the cafés.


Taking a break at one of the cafés.


Overlooking the cafe.


A view of the same café, overlooking West LA.


Architectural detail 1. I think everyone who visits has a photo of this. So now I have one too. Like the person in the foreground, I couldn’t help admiring the curves.

As you may have noticed by now, architect Richard Meier implements a “grid” design of sorts in many aspects of the design, which may call to mind a big sheet of graphing paper.

The structure here is clad in 30-inch aluminum square panels, a size meant to relate to people (ie, about one arm’s length). The grid itself is meant to give a sense continuity throughout the facility. The grid element implemented on the travertine stone ground surface (not shown here) aligns with neighboring Sepulveda Blvd and the Los Angeles map grid system.


Another view of those curves.


Yet another view of the curves, with the stairway and greenery in the foreground.


Several things about this structure here: how it stands out against the background, how it frames part of the background, and the oddity of its purple color.

Richard Meier and his designers can talk quite extensively about the color white -- its purity, its absoluteness, why he implements it in all his designs, etc.

The explanation for the purple pergola would be too long. So I won't bother to include it here.


The sculpture in the front. I didn’t get the chance to find out more about this one.


Maila took Isabel to enjoy the garden area while I took a short walk to shoot away at other areas.

Whew! Back from a little vacation there.

An opportunity came for us to go down to Southern California to take Ate Rowie, Kuya Rocky and Duduy down to Disneyland. It was also the perfect time to take Isabel.

First and foremost, very very many thanks to Ate Malu, who selflessly volunteered to take care of baby Caterina. I know that it wasn't easy, and without that, this trip would not have been possible.

So we rented a van last Thursday afternoon, and left for LA early Friday morning.

We dropped Rocky and family off at Universal Studios, while Maila, me and Isabel went to the Getty Center, and, time permitting, Frank Gehry's Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The next day was Disneyland all day.

Here are some of the pictures. The pictures from the Getty will follow tomorrow.
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Citywalk (at Universal Studios)

After coming from the Getty Center, we ate at this Japanese place at Citywalk while we waited for Rocky and Family. (We didn't go in to Universal Studios.)


Citywalk is a colorful, if touristy, place. Here's a shot of one of the signs as evening was near.


Disneyland


Say what you will about Disneyland -- as a kid, I always had fond memories of the place. My daughter had lots of fun too. I suspect it won't be a trip she'll soon forget.


Rowie, Rocky and Duduy.


Yours truly and family.


One thing that Maila pointed out that I never realized before -- a kid seeing Woody is not unlike one of us grown-ups seeing Tom Cruise Brad Pitt. We haven't exposed Isabel to Disney cartoons yet, but she has seen Toy Story, so there was no pulling her away from this photo op.


Making this trip after 7 years, I was seeing the place with new eyes. In Toontown, I was surprised by the vibrant colors, and the irony of taking this shot of fake hills against the real sky.


Almost a pilgrimage to Mecca.


All hail the Lion King. (Isabel really had no idea who this was.)


And all hail King Mickey.


With Buzz Lightyear.


Street percussionists.


And the sweet voices of this Mariachi group.


We waited 1-1/2 hours to see the Fantasmic show. So while I was there, I took this shot of the lamppost in front of us.


Fireworks - not bad for handheld shots.





Others


Duduy.


I got this little iPod Mini just for this trip. On a 7-hour drive, it was an absolute lifesaver. I can't imagine all of the CDs I would have had to bring, not to mention hassling Maila with constant CD changing.