Category Archives: Spontaneous Snaps

documentary snaps of life – fleeting glimpse, possibly elsewhere – sometimes a collection but those are using photo essays so these just are

Collections of Artifacts, Portraits of the Artiste, Spontaneous Snaps

Items: Hemp Shop for Custom Clothes in Pokhara, Nepal (2017)

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While in Pokhara, Nepal in 2017 for extended Ayurveda treatment, i generally, wasn’t able to go out and explore aside from a haircut/beard trim (all the oils from the treatment or a little unwieldy so I switched to a great mustache) and another time to get this magnificent custom-made, hundred percent hemp outfit made at Sabitri Hemp Shop (map).

I sort of explained all the advocacy work I’ve done for commercial applications of hemp cannabis over the years with Hempenroad film, dozens of articles especially about hemp in Japan, the “Practical Guide to Cannabis” for policymakers”, but really, *this wasn’t my gig* rather i was there to enjoy and support.

here is the storefront with a few premade wares on display and double sewing machines in front making new things

The owner was a jovial friendly sort and i had a good time explaining what i wanted and being measured.

Specifically, ordered a short sleeve collared shirt with a trim fit made to wear untucked, and a pair of trousers with the waistband finished like I like it and back pockets with buttons and all the little details.

seen here with handmade flat cap by Mavili (from Georgia – the country, not state – purchased at Lonsdale Quay and traveled all over with)
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Spontaneous Snaps

Kitchen: 3 foods, round

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Somehow, they all seemed to fit together if really, they don’t particularly

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Notes to Future Self, Portraits of the Artiste, Spontaneous Snaps

Accidental Palaeontology (& related accruements)

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a palaeontologist, i considered (briefly)

Maybe you’ve seen my variety of elementary school science projects which were more focussed on “social sciences” like anthropology, archeology, and arts and crafts, I mentioned this because as a kid, figured would end up as a scientist/researcher/writer/photographer, contracted by National Geographic to be an “explorer in residence” uncovering civilizations hitherto unknown, remixing the contexts to fit contemporary times – most importantly, having an assortment of interesting and useful practical tools as well as a bunch of cool equipment and accruements.

aye you’ll need your grog

Dug his tools, his shirt and cap, his liquor bottle, gadgets, good luck charms, some photos of colleagues goofing in the ground with giant dinosaur thighs. He worked out of Okayama University and is celebrated – in a way – for his achievements.

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Social + Culture, Spontaneous Snaps, Writing Life

Evidence: Kerouac in Kobe, Jack in Japan (slowly working on video, maybe kinda…)

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Further evidence of “working on some thing” about Jack Kerouac exhibit in Kobe, Japan 2021 – hardly shocking I know, but hey, here are many “On the Road” etc related items. Plus the typewriter to show I’m serious(ly) slow.

so many Jack Kerouac On the Road items
“set” for outro video, swapped out typewriter though
items from goat farm, Jerry and Jack
yes this is a real passport, repurposed

{What I’m trying to say is}, I keep trying to make/finish my “Kerouac and Kobe” video but keep on make more complicated, I made an *incredibly awesome* static-montage stop-motion animation intro, and recorded a vaguely-loquacious and informational outro but… it’s the middle part – you know, the part that actually matters with interview with Prof Matt Theado – I’m stuck at because requires sitting in front of the computer screen and my goodness, my eyes are kind of shot these days.

Keep on thinking I’ll finish it up but I haven’t so this is me killing time and trying to stoke the stoke to sit at the big screen (yes, I have a monitor that is made for “sensitive eyes” but still…)

Anyway, maybe you can play iSpy (with your little eye)?

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Spontaneous Snaps

Snaps: Coffees and Snacks, assorted and spontaneous

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At the risk of becoming a cliché or another routine, while tidying up July’s diaries, couldn’t help but notice some lovely beverages and tasty food enjoyed along the way.

visited a Café with loads of Volkswagen memorabilia scattered around including this welcome sign which is quite similar to the one at Mac’s goat farm time

Don’t get out much, so well,.. you don’t need to know because it’s obvious “sometimes I eat/drink something and I take a photo of it” and here are some of those things.

Beverages: coffees both iced and hot, plus a special Matcha tray delivered to my studio, and a pour over pot in a Tipi as well as one here at home.

As Warren Zevon wisely pointed out, “Enjoy every sandwich”. Aye, i do and will continue.

sandwiches and sushi, sushi and sandwiches, i’m fine all the time

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Japan Life/Travel, Personal Musings, Spontaneous Snaps

Outing: Somen day out in Kurashiki

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We were recently (mid July 2022) invited by our friend Hatsumi (you may know her as the flutist in the Mae Maes) for a special lunch at her friends in the historic town of Kurashiki. This lovely town is often quite busy in the Edo-era style Bikan quarter and also noted for its fantastic museums which I’d likely blabbed on about.

dude, looking sharp, enjoying his noodles and the water

There was also the 200th anniversary (or was it the 400th anniversary?) of a shrine we passed on the endless staircase up to our hosts. Of course, I purchased a commemorative calligraphy card.

In our case, the quest was to enjoy cold somen noodles from a special bamboo water plume chute. This is a sort of a usual tradition in Japan but, because of “everything” hasn’t been publicly done in the last couple years.

The lovely couple put on a really nice spread for us with the water running down the bamboo course and then you catch the noodles with your chopsticks along the way and mix in with a broth, plus tomatoes, eggs, green onions etc.

the custom made somen water chute
carefully constructed and creating an oasis
the noodles take corners and drop through holes
and then with hashi, you grab the items and stash in your bowl
the mist from the contraption was very pleasant on a hot humid day

The husband was quite handy and had some interesting artefacts and projects going around the house.

tatami room and alcove for resting
classic telephone and laser cut wood QR code for wi-fi
a charming sitting room
a few scenes of the house

After the noodles and a bit of a rest for me and Ichiro in a lovely tatami room, we enjoyed fresh shaved ice with a magnificent beast of a machine with ume syrup.

man and machine
boy and results
machine, only, mighty

Must remember to send them a gift package of pickles or other treats as thanks.

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Japan Life/Travel, Spontaneous Snaps

Time traveling to Café Independants (sic), 2015 / 2022

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Time traveling to sometime between the wars in a basement bar somewhere in France (or maybe more recently in Kyoto in a former newspaper office).

Or maybe this was the time, time traveling to another time not traveled to (yet).

Either way, creating artifacts for evidence of appearance, secret or otherwise – after all, who’s to say?

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Spontaneous Snaps

Snaps: Scenes from Momotaro Okayama Airport

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We dropped off a friend during Golden Week 2022 at Momotaro Okayama Airport which has a great viewing platform for hanging out and watching the (not too frequent) planes come and go. There are also more benches here than the rest of Japan combined (possibly not scientific fact) along with the ubiquitous vending machines but this time with ice cream and brewed to order coffee.

Usually there is direct service to Taipei, various points in Korea, and maybe even Hong Kong but right now it’s domestic only, maybe only to Haneda (the Tokyo airport that is actually close to Tokyo). Usually there are more points and I should figure this out but the short version is: we went to the airport, we watched planes, and Ichiro loved ALL OF IT.

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Spontaneous Snaps

Snaps: (more) views from Teshima

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More to see at: visitors see new life & family + trip to Teshima

Writing postcards with great chai at a quirky Curry Café on a small island in the inland sea.

such pleasure!
Two rusty items

Two blue items

Two modes of conveyance

One chai with two postcards

2 panoramas / 1 from mountainsude, 1 from dockside

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Spontaneous Snaps

Snap: Backstage at the oasis

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{Artisan roasted coffee across lane from shrine, Ichiro carried on family tradition batting eyelashes at baristas}

Backstage at the oasis… Was surprised to find a painting of me in this mural :-) >> Complete with suitcase, backpack, hat and scarf, glancing at a tree thinking about a chair and coffee.  Yup, def me.

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