Boom Tarat Tarat!

In our recent Boracay Trip, Boom Tarat Tarat was one of our sources of entertainment as this was performed by Dan and PJ while walking in the beach.

For those of you who do not know what this is, this is a catchy song/dance performed in Wowowee. The best performer/dancer for this song is then chosen as the 'Bigatin' and has the chance to win prizes in the show.

For those with good imagination, here are the lyrics and dance steps. Dance steps are courtesy of Stephan.

Boom Tarat Tarat lyrics and dance steps

BOOM (pump both fists), TARAT (hold right a$ cheek), TARAT (hold left a$ cheek) 2x
TARARAT (wave up both hands to the right)
TARARAT (wave up both hands to the right) Or left, if you want to be creative :)
BOOM BOOM BOOM (pump it up 3x)

Now go and dance!

Photo Details: Dan figuring out the 'boom tarat tarat' dance moves in Boracay! Picture courtesy of Stephan Alba.

2 for the road - new MacBook Pros!

(Oct 25) Apple just announced new MacBook Pros featuring the Intel Core 2 Duo processors. Compared to their first release of the mac book pros last January, everything else is the same except for the items below:

New Specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processors (4MB of shared L2 cache compared to 2MB)
• 1GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (default RAM for the $1,999 model)
• 120 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
• Slot-load 6x SuperDrive with Dual Layer Support (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW)
• Firewire 800 port

Old Specs:

• Intel Core Duo Processors
• 512MB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (default RAM for the $1,999 model)
• 80GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
• Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)

The Dual Layer DVD support is the update I have been waiting for. I got my PowerBook October 2005 and I got the last update to the Power PC line. The specs I have are:

• Slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• 512MB of PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM running at 333 MHz (I added 1GB to make it 1.5GB)
  
• 80GB Ultra ATA/100 (5400 rpm) hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor
• two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 and 800

The main advantages of the new macbook pros are the upgraded hard drive space and the built-in camera/remote. Plus of course, it's faster compared to the Power PC model. Anyway, I am glad to know that the MacBook Pros have reached this upgrade. However, I don't think I will make the switch to Intel yet. I am still happy with my PowerBook. =)

For those interested to find out the difference between Intel Core Duo and Core 2 Duo, check this link: http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/0,39029450,49283370,00.htm?r=17

TV Shows, tv shows, tv shows...

As an addict of tv shows, here's what I have been watching lately...

Returnees (my top shows):

1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Prison Break
3. Lost
4. Desperate Housewives
5. House, MD

New Shows:

1. Studio 60 On The Sunset
2. The Nine

Other shows that keep me busy are:

1. CSI (NY, Vegas, Miami)
2. The Unit
3. Numb3rs
4. Blade the Series -> season 1 has ended; can't wait for season 2!

Go to www.tv.com for more details on these shows.

Check out my Photos!

Check out my Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_lao/sets

I will be updating that soon with new pictures from the following events:
- Pet & Trixie's Wedding
- Boracay Trip

Watch out for it!

Starting Out in Digital Photography

In the past couple of months, I've been a student of photography. Yes, I was finally bought another new gadget last July - a digital SLR! I got enticed by Stephan's Canon EOS 350d so I got one for myself.

Anyway, here are a few sites that have helped me so far...

1. Photoshop TV -> http://www.photoshoptv.com
Subscribe to their videocast if you can! Their episodes are pretty amusing (c/o Scott Kelby who always makes fun of his co-hosts). Anyway, they do give out a lot of tips in Photoshop (and how to fix your photos), but most of all, they sometimes have tips on digital photography.

2. Digital Photography School Blog -> http://www.digital-photography-school.com/blog/
Very very good site that gives you tips on how to take better pictures, etc.

3. Adobe Lightroom -> http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom/
If you want a very simple tool to manage your photos and your workflow, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is the way to go. Check out the product now! I will provide a different post for this product later on. But right now, Beta 4 is one big leap from beta 3 in terms of performance.
>> just as I am posting this (Oct 20), beta 4.1 just came out!

4. Digital Photographer Magazine -> http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/
This originated from a UK, and a Philippine version is available. The current issue (issue #4) is probably the best that they have in terms of providing tips to people on how to shoot. If you can, pick up the latest issue. It has tips from the popular wedding photographers in the Philippines. The link I have points to their site where you can actively participate in

Go and check out these sites!