Newest Photoshoot

Alright now that I have a new work schedule that allows me a day off during the weekday, I've decided to take advantage of the free time to do some fun photography. Thanks to casting call on MM, I arranged a photoshoot with Molly, a very smart beautiful red-headed gal from Cupertino (originally from Montreal). In addition to a BS micro-biology, she also has a masters in finance. Fortunately for me, she was available to model for me yesterday. Off I went to meet her at a beach in Santa Cruz. The weather was perfect slightly overcast with the sun behind the clouds. Very diffused lighting conditions which is the way I like it. I was shooting with my Nikon D2H with a 70-210mm long lens and my D200 with a 17-50mm lens. I ran into some slight problems with the D2h which was recently repaired for a shutterbox problem. Apparently the repair shop didn't do a good job but I'm going to test it out with some of my newer lenses in case it was a problem with my old 70-210mm lens (it has manual aperture settings which dates it to the 70s or 80s). So I ended up using my trusty D200 for the rest of the shoot. Here are some of the best shots that I've finished. Very minimal post processing. Mostly slight adjustments to the exposure and adding my custom frame and logo. Hope you like them! JP

A moment of pure clarity

While driving to work the other day in the rain, I had a moment of pure clarity. Actually it triggered a memory from the past that it was almost like reliving the moment again. While watching the rain roll down my car window, I remembered a similar moment from my childhood. The difference is I lived the moment through the eyes of the child that I was. Getting back to that moment, I remember my dad driving us home from school when it started raining outside our station wagon. As I watched the rain drops hit the windshield, I remember seeing so clearly each drop hit the window and start rolling down in a steady stream until the wipers erased their path. It's like the universe stopped at a juxtaposition between my past and present. Reliving that moment was like being that happy child again. It put a smile on my face which kept me in a good mood for the rest of the day!

JP

PyleAudio's PLWB2030 Review

So this is my first post for 2015. I recently bought a PyleAudio PLWB2030 Illuminated LED Writing Board (I call it a "3D Wipe Board") during the holidays. Since my team recently moved locations from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor, this was an opportunity to decorate our area. Like other Google Teams, our cubes usually have a theme. Since our team is fairly new, we've been brainstorming a theme. The one that has the most votes right now is a "star bar", a la "Star Wars". I thought my 3D Wipe board would be the perfect illuminated sign for our cubicle entrance. Its been week 3 or 4 but so far the wipe board has been a huge success. It really motivates our team to try something new if not on a daily basis at least on a weekly basis. It's also had the unintended effect of drawing attention from other Googlers'. I've 3 separate Googlers ask me where I bought it 'cause they want to get one for their own team or personal use. This item has by far been a great tool for getting my team to express ideas, thoughts and feeling. The verdict? It's a fun tool that anyone can use to spice up their office or home. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants an affordable, fun tool. -jp P.S. Here's some photos showing the wipe board in the office.

Weird Weather Lately

How weird is the weather lately? Last week we hit the 90s. One week later, it's pretty cool and windy. No such thing as climate change. JP

Second Week

Wow! I almost through my second week at Google. 8) It's been a whirlwind so far. This week has been all about the Google Top Contributor Summit 2013. I met quite a few TCs in the Adwords Community. Plus I've met as many if not more Googler from all the different product lines. The coolest has been Google Glass. As a photographer I am so excited about this technology. I spoke with Sara the PM for Google Glass and one of the speakers at the summit. I unabashedly ask her how I could into their explorer program especially for using the Glass for wedding photos. I'm crossing my fingers that I will be lucky enough to be chosen for the next round. Oh I can't close this blog without mentioning the the first night's social dinner event. Had a blast with great food and free drinks! My glass goes off to CHristine, Rachel, Phil, Bjorn and Mehdi who were mates for the evening. Too cool a bunch of smart yet fun people. Rachel and I didn't get to save the Goldfish in the colored Google glasses but Christine and I did get to keep our white pillows that lit up with google colors. 8) jp

2nd & 3rd Day

Belated entries for the last 2 days (mostly cause I was too tired once I got home to write anything!). 2nd Day Impressions: At last, I am back to drinking Red Bull. Only one per day but its like meeting an old friend. Back in 2011, I used to have 1-2/day at the Crittenden campus. Ahh the prodigal son returns...! What else, oh, I met a few acquaintances also from 2011. It's nice to see some familiar faces on the new job. 3rd Day Impressions: Oh Lord! Someone took the last Red Bull. The Googler I bumped into at the break room noticed my sound of anguish. His advice was to grab one early (and stash it!). His words, not mine but advice I may readily follow in order to get my daily dose of RB. Today I had the distinct pleasure to "shadow" one of the STO CSRs for an hour as part of my training to familiarize myself with Adwords (again) and the job itself. The gentleman I was paired up with was courteous, knowledgeable and professional on the phone during the entire hour I observed him. If he is typical of the average Google CSR than Google has some of the best CSR in the industry! Like other support centers in the industry, the majority of calls is not so much as fixing issues but being part counselor-engineer-yellow-pages to every caller. It's a high stress but satisfactory job when you resolved the customer's issues. That's it for now. Will update for today's impressions tonight! jp

Starting up my personal Blog!

With the start of my new job at Google, I've decided to keep a daily journal of what its like to work at Google. To give some background details of my job, I have to start with my last contract at Google. In 2011, I was fortunate to work on the SBS (SMB now) Verticalization Project. In a nutshell, the group I was assigned to gather the existing Google Adwords Small Business Sales customer data which was organized for accuracy. The reason was two fold: (1) gauge how accurate the data and demographics of the SBS Adwords customers' (2) Make this data available to the Adwords Sales team in order maximize the ROI when contacting their respective SBS customer. Fast forward to 2013. With my previous Adwords experience, my recruiter thought I would an ideal candidate for an opening with Google's Adwords Community. After several interviews, I was the candidate who did get the position. After having survived my first day today as newest member of the Adwords Community forum, I feel confident that this is the right career path for me! I also have to make a note of my first impression of my new team. Everyone I met in the team was super friendly especially as I am {excuse my gaming terminology) the FNG. Having said that, everyone one of them reminds of the last team I worked with in 2011. They are extremely talented, confident individuals. One of the great things about Google is they really do hire the best and the brightest. I feel honored that I get a second opportunity to work in such a great environment. More to come tomorrow...! jp

I forgot to post the latest family portraits from last month on my personal blog. Here they are... jp

Adobe kills Creative Suite, goes subscription-only

Interesting article from CNET, Adobe kills Creative Suite, goes subscription-only Could this be the Adobe's fatal faux pax? Last time I remember a company that tried a similar stunt, Netflix with their raising the price and splitting their streaming and DVD rental into 2 separate features, their stock prices tanked while losing a huge number of subscribers. I see a similar reaction with Adobe's new move. Time will tell. jp

Easter Photos

Here's a couple quick shots I took of my youngest niece and her brother on Easter Sunday. jp

Cool article on Med menu

Healthy eating equals good living. 8) http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/25/17087082-tasty-diet-cuts-heart-disease-study-finds?lite jp

Posting an old spring photo

SyFy news!

if your a Battlestar Galactica fan, you don't want to miss this new BSG series! jp

Solar Seminar SF Commonwealth Club tomorrow

If your a big solar geek like me, you want to keep up on the latest trends in the industry. Fortunately the SF Commonwealth club is hosting a great seminar tomorrow on solar energy trends. Check out the info below. jp ------------------------------ http://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2013-02-05/solar-flares Lynn Jurich, Co-founder, Sunrun Danny Kennedy, President and Founder, Sungevity Marco Krapels, Executive Vice President, Rabobank Lyndon Rive, Co-founder and CEO, SolarCity Through all the growing pains and political attacks, the U.S. solar industry is still moving ahead. Costs are down, new financing models are removing capital barriers for residential and commercial buyers, and sun energy is no longer just for hippies. What is the solar forecast for 2013? How will the trade spat with China impact the sector? The glut of cheap natural gas promises to undercut renewable energy, yet at the same time it can be a ready complement for when the sun is not shining and the wind isn't blowing. Join us for a spin around the sun. Location: SF Club Office Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6 p.m. program, 7 p.m. networking reception Cost: $20 standard, $12 members, $7 students (with valid ID) Also know: Underwritten by Orrick

Starting a new year

Since this is still early in the new year, I am continuing my efforts to update this my personal blog. Anything social media or technical photography will be updated on my other respective blogs. Thanks! jp

MerryChristmas 2012!

Christmas Photos

With Christmas only days away, I thought it would be nice to post some photos with a Christmas theme. 8) jp

Family Photo Video Montage

I finished a photo video montage to be used as a product sample for a meeting I have next week with a Family Photo client. I really enjoy putting these type of products together! jp

Stop the SOPA and PIPA acts!

I totally support Google and Wikipedia's blackout today. If the American people and the most popular websites do not want special interest groups to influence how we use the internet, then Congress should listen to us. Not the lobbyists from Entertainment industries! jp

Happy New Year!

I'd like to wish a belated Happy New Year to everyone on my blog. I would have updated sooner but I was out sick with a bout of bronchitis since the New Year. However I'm feeling better, good enough to do my first official update for my personal blog. So here's a couple highlights for the upcoming new year: 1. Find a new marketing job. Or find another position at Google. 2. Work on finishing my book idea. Try to get it self-published sometime this year. 3. Focus on my portrait photography business. This includes a new Adwords campaign in the Spring. 4. Plan on visiting Europe in May for both vacation and business. I would like to stay a minimum of 2 week but ideally 1-2 months. Just have to see if I have the finances to make it happen. There's a lot of new, cool things I plan for this New Year. I hope y'all can stick around to see it happen...! Cheers, jp