Freedom Is My Soundtrack II | 100727

A culturally defined sound divided by genres, music is a fine art that feeds my mind and soul.  The theraputic beat of a drum to the sweet sound of a guitar, it can throw a bad day out the window as fast as you can press play.  To the intro count untilt the chorus hit, three fingers up to the men and women behind the booth keeping you on the dance floor. 

Photos taken by:  Chad Marcelo - Canon XTi

City on Shutter | San Francisco | 100727

Back to the most photogenic city in the country, there's always a shot or angle you want to have under your belt.  Photographs that I've gathered in the past several months makes me appreciate how fascinating this city can be beyond your typical tourists and popular landmark sites.  Justin Herman Plaza, Coit Tower, Transamerica Building, and into the urban streets of Embarcadero, you'll see an elegance to the city that is envious to most. 

       The historic Ferry Building

         A midnight shot of the infamous Palace of Fine Arts

Francis Lopez - 40D

Champagne Life | Ne-Yo | 100727 ♫

Ne-Yo, back at it again toastin' it up to the good life. From his glide steps, to its falsetto, down to the white socks...it has a little MJ touch to it which never gets old no matter who tries to immitate the Late Great!

Celebrate Everything and Anything...EVERYDAY!

Let's Toast It Up!

Prosit! Je via sano! Toston! A Votre Sante! Sláinte! Prost! Okole Maluna! L’Chaim! Egeszsegere! Cin cin! Kampai! Skål! Saúde! Oogy wawa! Salut! Pura Vida! Mabuhay!

Cheers!

iPhone 4 v. HTC | 100720

Mainstream \ˈmān-ˌstrēm\

Webster:  a prevailing current or direction of activity or influence

Urban:  is what's the new trend. when one "style" gets old, a new one is reborn, a mainstream person is someone who jumps from trend to trend so that they fit in with the rest of the crowd. Mainstream is being what society thinks you should be, and look like.

Zamora Grandkids | 100720

Growing up having a sibling-like relationship with my first cousins' is what I've always experience from when I was young, to the age I am now.  From the 80's set, to the 90's, up to the 2000's, we've all had a tight bond and considers all of them as extended siblings.  As it can get chaotic when most get together, it's hard to believe that all have not been in the same room at once.  Nineteen enthusiastic and different personalities total. From Texas, Seattle, Chicago, San Diego, and another overseas, we still all manage to maintain and build a relationship that we appreciate and are grateful for.  Top to bottom, half-black to half-white, a bond is no greater than, or less than one.   

Chad.Mahalynne.Allen-Marcelo

Leonard.Carol-An.Francis-Lopez

Laurance.April-Cosper

CJ.Jamie-Zamora

Clay.Ryan.Mikey-Heckel

Carmela.Adrian.Jericho-DeGuzman

Jeremiah.Jenica.Janessa-Zamora

Jason Mraz | Sleeping to Dream 07 ♫

Jam of the Week: Jason Mraz's "Sleeping to Dream" is a long time favorite of mine. As good as he sounds on his tracks, he's even better live. So if you haven't seen him perform, it's worth your time. Although the song was never in any of his official EPs or LPs, here's the performance at The Eagles Ballroom in 2007.

Ocean Beach | San Francisco | 100522

Weather in San Francisco has been predictably inconsistent. It sure doesn't feel like May. Although it was still chilly, the weekend brought a glimpse of sunshine. Nothing like a good sunset with a live random band in the background drinking some vino. Word!

Francis Lopez - 40D

Bay Bridge | 100502

Overlooked by its Golden counterpart, the Bay Bridge is actually my favorite of the two.  For some, it symbolizes a road path to an ambitious and competitive career.  But for most, it's a night to hang the 8 to 5 on the shelf and prepare for a rough morning.

Francis Lopez - 40D

Emerald City | 100502

A trip that I take about 3-4 times a year makes Seattle a home away from home. Spending a lot of summers growing up makes me feel like a "Seattleites". This 2nd trip of the year in the Pacific Northwest was a random road trip pieced together by my brother, uncle, and auntie. With only a short weekend and a total of a 25 hour drive round trip, we made every single hour count to its last second. With a trendy and classy atmosphere of Joey's, and its coffee shop on every single half block, down to the most freshest seafood, a trip is always worth it...RAIN or shine!

My cousin Allen and his girlfriend Eilyn at my cousin Mahalynne's roof top apartment.                              

Photos taken by: Joey Marcelo - Canon G10

Mahalynne and I, Pre-Nigori.....'Smile'.                                                          Photos taken by:  Leo Zamora - Canon G11

The Orrick Building | 100501

A few posts back, the property managers at The Orrick Building asked me to take some shots of their building to be included in the BOMA Earth Awards.  A couple of moths later, they were announced the winner of this year's contest on Earth Day which makes them  most GREEN building in their class.

Congratulations Ladies!

Francis Lopez - 40D