New Challenges Ahead

Electronic Banking, early 2009.

After almost six years with my department, Electronic Banking, it's time for me to take a new challenge. Not only did it come as a surprise, it was also short notice, I mean very short.

Last Tuesday, I learned that I was a candidate for the bank's LEAD Program, which is an accelerated program for developing future managers and executives. I attended the assessment session last Thursday, which consisted of time pressured exercises and presentations. Luckily, I made it to the top five, and by Monday, I have to say goodbye to my unit.

I love Electronic Banking, here I had some of the best experiences in the bank, and here I met some of my closest friends. But this program is for my own good, and there's no other direction to go but forward. Electronic Banking will always be a part of who I am.

So for the next three years, I will be rotated to different units of the bank and attending classroom trainings, until such time I can sell/present myself as an effective leader. Tough, but I know I can do this.

My Photoblog

The Photoblog of Jani Balani

I've decided to create a separate photoblog for my snapshots, sort of my fresh start in photography. I'm trying to keep that one clutter-free, so the descriptions will be brief, and most of my other content will remain in this blog (e.g. links, photography gear, personal stuff).

If you have time, please visit my photoblog. The link is posted above, as well as one of the first pictures posted there.

That Rubber Thingie Underneath My MacBook...

This happened a few months ago...


...then this one just now.

Not really sure what they're called, the rubber footing beneath my MacBook fell off, the first one a few months back, the latter just before writing this. The first one was actually worse, since the base got brittle, almost disintegrating. I assumed it was because of the intense heat, oftentimes I'll leave my MacBook running for hours without proper ventilation. Not sure if the recent misfortune is the same, since the base is still intact, and the glue that used to hold it is still moist.

I guess this isn't covered by warranty, unless it fell off the day you got it from the store, so this is what I did...


...and now it's as good as new (hopefully).


Not so sure if I'm the only victim of this one though. Hopefully this won't happen again.

The iPhone Fashion Shoot

The best camera is the one that's with you. - Chase Jarvis

This video isn't from Chase Jarvis, but in a way it reinforces the thought that any camera can do the job, all you need is a little inspiration (and maybe some good lighting).

Admittedly, I have been uninspired with photography for quite some time now, mostly due work and wedding preps. I have been reading photography books and online forums to stimulate those creative nerves again, but this video is probably the best booster of them all.

Thanks to Strobist for sharing this.

2010 DLSU Green Archers

Taken from greenarchers.ph.

For some reason, I cannot copy and paste the text from the link above, so I guess the picture says it all: we are a small team this season. To be realistic, all I'm hoping is a Final Four slot for the team in green.

In any case, this will be an exciting season. Animo La Salle!!!

S90: View From The Rooftop

Here's a view from the rooftop of our unit in Makati. It was one of the few times that I got to use the S90 since we bought it. Hopefully, with the summer heat winding down and the workload becoming more manageable, I may have that urge again to take more photos.

I'm not sure, but I think I did something wrong because I'm not impressed with the photos that I took last time, the photo above is probably the best from the batch. I know it's not the camera, because I have seen beautiful captures from this little beast from different photography websites. When there's time, I might shoot again from the rooftop.

Maybe I'm expecting too much from the S90. I got used to my DSLR that I'm expecting the S90 to behave the same way (especially in the noise department). Even though the S90's technology is much better than that of my G5, a DSLR is still the way to go if speed and noise is an issue.

But for portability, the S90 wins hands down. The shot above was taken from a small opening between the concrete wall and the mesh fence. Only a camera that small can get an unobstructed shot from that vantage.

That's it for now. Time to get out and shoot some more.

iPhone 4

This changes everything. Again.

Time to come out from my blogging hiatus. I know, I haven't been writing for a while, I'll save the excuses for some other post.

So back to topic. Rumors about Apple's newest mobile device have been circulating for quite some time now, so this is more of a confirmation rather than a surprise. The new features like the high resolution display, HD video, and longer battery life make me wonder if I bit the bullet too early with my iPhone 3G S.

As a consolation, it probably won't be available until the 4th quarter of 2010, and with Globe's reputation with loyalty subscribers, the wait could be longer. And at least iPhone OS 4 (now called iOS 4) is set to be available by June 21, for free.

Thanks to Mac Rumors for the early heads-up.