Tag Archives: birthday

#UW53 bus ride for van Gogh and back home deer & records

Breaking into the secret stash hauled back from the BC Invasion / JJBean Railtown roast ~ “dark and smoky” like my soul :) Memories of this brew daily in the Dunlevy days (which i’ll leave at that).

Ya remember?

Anyhow, the three of us set off on a little adventure by bus.

Away we go, like a trio of sunflowers

The first place we arrived to was the wrong place so another bus to get to the place which was rather confusing to find. We were in search of a “digital” Vincent van Gogh exhibit which I had seen in spectacular reviews and pictures in other cities. This one was the “not necessarily deluxe” version but still, what if it was awesome and we missed it…?

The location featured some kind of super fancy food court on the first floor, some exhibit and retail space on the second floor, maybe some office space on the third and fourth floor… If I sound a bit confused it’s because I didn’t quite understand the “magnet” to get folks to come here & it’s not on a usual transport route and the shops were quite specialized but what do I know. I do know it was just confusing.

By the time we got there, the little guy was eager for some ice cream, me up for an iced coffee, and well since we were there just before the 12 o’clock horn signals the rampage for lunch, some lunch before hitting the exhibit.

Was quite incredible as the food court featured all reusable dishes/cutlery and all kinds of specialized gourmet type operations, again I was just confused as never heard of this place before #Shrug so hey, look at this pizza
Do you ever have a feeling you’re being watched? Someone peering over your shoulder?

The exhibit frankly was pretty underwhelming, some flatscreen TVs with some not particularly hi-res reproduction of the paintings (keep in mind, I’ve seen the two major collection of van Goghs as well as many one offs so very familiar with the works) / in some cases there was the requisite baritone voice over, filled with sadness & melancholy while slide shows of works slip by at the pace you would watch your cousin in law’s crappy vacation slides to Cabo and unnecessary “special effects” to make the photos of the paintings move very unnaturally.

You’ll have to excuse me I’m not at my best, I really need a rest

Aside from the underwhelming digital and projection works and the maudlin overdubs, there was a cool little reproduction of the bedroom Vincent prepared for Paul Gauguin which later became a painting which includes paintings, which are also paintings. So i stopped for a nap / or at least my usual cheesy pose with a floppy hat and a sunflower tie.

Old Vincent’s letters and the backstory between him and brother Theo and Theo’s widow Joanna Bognár are such an integral part of the way V’s story developed posthumously and I can barely look at the letters without seeing my own life as overblown as that sounds. I mean I see them and I know… how it feels to have your heart burn to only want to create create create, sleeping, eating, none of it is interesting, just a feeling of putting a thing out into the world… ahhhh forget it – blerg

Yeah we hit the gift shop, I bought a handkerchief (of the postman) and a postcard (of the husband and wife farmers nestled in a straw field taking a rest).

I’m not the only one capable of a cheesy pose

As I do – duh – I observed a few oddities like a vending machine selling salad dressing. Look at that luscious shade of seafoam green!

And, behind a net (because the bike shop inexplicably on the second floor of a strangely positioned pavilion and closed on a sunny summer day) was a magnificent Kona long tail Ute displayed with a coffee station on the back wooden bench. Oh the dreams!

While Ichi and Mama had their alone time, I was treated to a half-hour foot massage which was quite exquisite. I love massage yet live in the “East Asian country without Asian stuff like massages and pedicures everywhere” – I mean, a lot of countries which are our geographical neighbors have entirely different routines when it comes to night markets and self care but anyhow, this was quite lovely aside from the noise of the, did I mention, very strange building.

Then back on two buses as we talked about the upcoming routine in which I will pick Stanley up from “mountain preschool” and we will ride street car and then bus back home to the cottage. {There are 3 local bus companies with franchise agreements for serving different areas of the region but the one that comes to our house is by far the best. The bus loop at the Okayama train station is terribly designed and they should be redesigning that instead of the other construction they have going on but no one asks me.}

At last! Home (keeping in mind, the day after the tropical storm with bright sun an incredible humidity) where Papa took a rest and Mama whipped up a wonderful feast of venison from the wild boar trapper along with corn from the wizard in Nagano and blueberry sauce with berries from our garden. She is truly a wonder!

Mac-san showed up (arriving while I was snoozing) I rallied up, made us coffees before dinner with which he was duly impressed / dude has high standards and strong opinions so that’s always pleasant.

Of course our convos covered many many topics as we broke into the JJ Bean coffee, plus fig newtons, Cadbury fruit and nut chocolate and some other almond caramel confections brought back from Canada.

Grammy sent us this chocolate and I resisted the urge to be snacking on it at midnight and instead kept it in the freezer. Behind are some newly hung paintings by John Ferrie

Plus we sampled some curious Lecure from Sons Of Vancouver which is usually used in fancy tiki drinks but we just did a little sipping from Sasquatch cups.

Mac and I went out to the kura and sifted through the stacks of records i keep on meeting to make videos about and properly clean, categorize, inventory and enjoy. Listened to REM “automatic for the people” and Lou Reed (listened to Leonard Cohen, Sunny Day Real Estate and Bocephus King during dinner by the way)

Also I had some “dude time” to talk about a few things that have been weighing on my mind since coming back from BC, his dreams and schemes for the goat farm, and while doing so, sifted through stickers, posters, papers, ephemera from the trip, sent him home with an envelope and I also assembled some mic stands and attached some microphones for some well… Dreams and schemes

I turn off the birthday notifications on the so-called social channels and trying to kind of hang out here when have something to say but still, of course friends remember and my buddy Banghi in Olympia remix’d a photo from a very strange night at Mr. Fredrikson’s house somewhere in Thurston County, burning artifacts to close a chapter. Now, I seem to be existing in the midst of an animated, articulated, quasi-realistic future scape with my phwa phwa hair and beverage intact. Thanks for that surprise.

So there it goes, 53, now to be worn by Teddy Blueger of Latvia for the Canucks.

Addendum: the morning of August 17 here in Japan is obviously still August 16 in North America so spent some time on the phone catching up with some friends and opened a few well-timed letters from Rancho Mirage, California and Austin, Texas. Thank you friend so very much.

“The present is an unfinished poem…”

Royal Gratitude for #UW53 Birthday Greetz #trying

oh just me talking with my hands with some great John Ferrie paintings behind

A fumbly stumbly but well-intentioned message of gratitude for sending fond wishes for a birthday and whatnot.

Post-BC-trip for various reasons, been feeling a little bit mentally unwell, struggling, so I’ve been laying low while I try to pick up the pieces and figure out what comes next //

So – conciseness/brevity not being my strong point, I say something about “hooray for the trip, my brain will eventually be all right (everything is wonderful except for a few things) and something about typhoons and how I sent out a lot of cards but never seems to be quite enough.”

Then – more to that point – talk about going to an {underwhelming} van Gogh exhibit by bus and eating venison and blueberries with Ryoko & Mac-san + the incredible Ichiro Stanley.

It’s all a long clumsy way of saying “I am very grateful for you and you being part of my life and not forgetting about me”

Fondly, dvo/uw

daveo53 / 16.8.23

Aug 16, 2023 = #UW53

postcards, books, cassettes, records, love letters, telegrams, fax accepted though certainly not required / just another day right #shrug

937-1 Tsuchida, Naka
Okayama
〒 703-8217 Japan

PS the note about van Gogh is to maybe see the van Gogh exhibit going on in the city although it’s not the “super deluxe” version of the digital immersive experience, just the kind of B team one but still, we may well try (just to see the postman wink at me)

Diary: #daveo52 / happiness and time are infinite, right?

chicken, 4 ways

Most years, for my birthday I “give myself a present of making some creative project”… In past years there was the Frederick Varley three-part mixed media essay in Vancouver Observer, the “poets, punks and revolutions: Forgotten Vancouver stories” video from Northern Voice 2013 (with Andrew Lavigne), last year was the “Leo card“ bonanza plus a special video dispatch “Castle, foundations and pyjamas (from Saskatoon to Tsuchida)“, the year before was the “Regarding Personal Archeology #daveo50 (video introduction)” project tracking each year of my then-50 years, i also assembled and published my 1988 “Uncle Weed’s Red Rock Storybook” in 31 parts for another birthday creation. Previously was big raging parties for UncleWeed 40 Pig Roast and UncleWeed 42 (+ brother Danimal 39) “Music Festival” themed epic (round-up)… Anyway this year I had thought about doing a live poetry reading or maybe a chapbook, or finish the Kerouac in Kobe video.

But then I remembered the most important things for this year are being an “good husband and papa” and the most important thing in life is having time/connections with the people that you care about. (plus recalled that mid-August when folks are rocking the last of summer is a lousy time to put something out on the internet, regardless of my fck stats make art ethos). So/and:

waking up, 1 year in the new.old.new house/cottage

Also, I just can’t seem to “bounce up” recently… I mean between the illness (MECFS) and the heat and a couple of energy-vampire significant “personal life administration” projects that i’m not quite comfortable talking about yet, i’m spending a significant amount of time in bed (not shocking for my illness and no, no advice requested), i did close to nothing as far as a creative project aside from posting a few odds and ends while killing time in the doctors office.

Indeed,i went to seitai treatment – it being a “holiday“ (i guess) as the last day of O-bon, a lot of people waiting ahead of me so i shared some dispatches (about Auroville and the end of my driving “career“), reading a new ‘zine as well as Nick Bantock‘s “Sabine’s notebook“ – which I now own two original creations – and then lay down on the fainting couch underneath a framed print of my art (yes I will say this every time).

Sei tai drs waiting room with zine and epistolary lit

After an intense treatment (it really spins me out), Ryoko picked me up, gave me a sandwich and took me home to bed… PS going to the doctor, i did a funny thing (i think) by wearing the same outfit the doctor always does to see if he will notice: Khaki pants, brown belt, off-white short-sleeve collared shirt. No comment but i was amused.

The previous few days, we prepared food in stages including slow roasting a pork belly, marinating and roasting three kinds of chicken thighs (banana pepper mustard, barbecue, and jerk) and then oiled-down and powder jerk rub on a chicken, marinating resting overnight. Mother-in-law made salads, I always have pickles on standby, so we just stashed the chicken in the oven – on the special rack with a tall can of Spring Valley – for an hour and whazzam, dinner.

Of course my pal Mac the goat farmer came over with a large flagon of fancy Koti beer and two lovely gifts, a great new record and cool new T-shirt. Thanks Pal.

we tried to call Cmdr Bob but no go

My lovely in-laws also gifted me a couple of new T-shirts. I also told them how grateful I am for how we built a relationship more and more this year as it’s a one year anniversary also of us moving back into the new/old/new cottage.

quick with the photo and eat the gelato!

For dessert, Ryoko with help from Ichiro, really, made Matcha Gelato as my request and it was fantastic! We pulled out Mom‘s fancy China and she wrote “happy birthday Dave” in chocolate sauce which Ichiro quickly attacked.

And, while throwing Ichiro around, he noticed the missing pack of Anpanman “fireworks“ (sparklers and simple things) we had put on top of the fridge and forgotten about so we promptly went outside where there was a little bit of rain (hooray!) and had some fire fun.

So in amongst jerk chicken and hanabi sparklers… so ends another circuit for me and so ends another o-bon so our ancestors can go back to their heavenly confines and me to bath. good night wonders, fondly, dvo
Continue reading Diary: #daveo52 / happiness and time are infinite, right?

Note: Auroville memory & guru posthumous birthday

As it goes, August 15 is the posthumous birthday of the spiritual founder of Auroville. Aug 16 on the other hand…

me (obv) at Auroville (minor edits :))

“Thanks to Sri Aurobindo !
from Auroville on His 150th birthday”

Have you visited Auroville? Have you considered what is required to live there?

I have some further notes about this unique community to share some time…

the most consequential chais of my life

(Another) scrapbook for #io / this time: school days

You are no doubt not surprised that adorable son Ichiro’s life is widely documented in a series of analog scrapbooks…

One for the days leading up to his birth, another for early days at home, another for cards and letters received, and so on.

And here’s another one made on a pleasant Sunday with his mom and the dude himself with all the arts and crafts he’s brought home from school as well as some “semi pro” photos taken at his great preschool.

Many/most of the arts and crafts are made with paint/ink and his hand prints/foot prints and turned into some other kind of character, often with a seasonal theme.

Within the photos are many with his classmates (so we won’t share here), as well as a *very special visit* from Santa Claus sporting a very fetching and somehow familiar beard.

Of course, was just recently his second birthday so meaning to share some more artifacts from that time… Did I already do that? I can’t really remember.

Anyway, here’s a scrapbook and here’s the dude for now.

Ichiro Stanley, almost 2 years old

Ichiro Stanley hitting 2 years old next week, June 23rd.

yes, he is this adorable *almost( all the time

He wants to go to the sea to swim (we will on 25th), he’s also getting a bike (don’t tell him yet), a Richard Scarry book, and probably some other stuff.

He loves being in the garden, going for a stroll or to the park, musical instruments of all sorts, transportation and work vehicles of all kinds, always crouches down to watch the ants, and looks up to see the moon and the airplanes. He says “hello“ to the plants. He wants to surf.

{photo by Mama with IchiStan rocking an impromptu hat in a post-ramen rain shower}

Address for card, telegrams etc.

Magical Ryoko’s Birthday

Here she is with a boy who loves her as much as I do, gazing into a distant mystery

(As usual) I’m hopelessly behind in replying to various messages on all the channels and what not but anyhow… Spent a little time in the mountains and now about to dig into some sushi to celebrate my darling wife’s birthday.

As such, inadequate memo to say:

Somehow Ryoko gets more gorgeous every day and continually amazes me in new & delightful ways.

She’s an arborist, vocalist, tea ceremonyist – infrequently intimidated, always courageous, endlessly creative + a wonderful mother, perfect wife and just the funnest to be around every day.

Continue reading Magical Ryoko’s Birthday

Hey Cam, its your 50th birthday

Cam’s 50th birthday video with ukulele

My pal Cameron Uganec of Lynn Valley hit 50 so i made a spoken-song-arts-and-crafts-thing / its not long because he suggests “brevity is key” so i tried to not ramble on as per usual – making a “Ramones-sized song”.

Sharing here so i remember the fun making this for a great pal including: my Mom’s heavy duty pinking shears; Dymo labeller; scribbling “lyric and chord” writing; and a pink insta-camera + mighty hat a’la Richard Brautigan (made in Utah), and a Royal Stewart tartan jacket.

Thanks for being a top-notch gent Cam (and always driving and getting coffee etc).

DaveO51 ~ Birthday Bentos, Bevvies: annotations & evidence

rain storms, cake and gratitude

Preamble: So much to report as we moved into the new/old house in the midst of my birthday (16th) which coincides around “Obon” time here in Japan when folks return to their ancestral hometown/villages for respects to ancestors including washing graves. Usually full of festivals with dancing and snacks. This year, like last, festivals and celebrations are no-go & was squished in with typhoons, vax, errands and… so much wonder.

Let’s begin with the night of Aug 15th (birthday eve if you will). We had moved mattresses and desk (hello) over to Tsuchida “cottage” (now “station”) and then back over (a metre away) with the parents for a massive sashimi feast.

Evidence of such wondrous food!

Then we slept in the new/old house in new birthday present pyjamas (with matcha gelato cones print)!

Such a treat to wake up 51 with this life.

With my 2 cuddlers.

Next, coffee (and tried not to look at the cake in process behind)

Then we headed out for a pleasant session of seitai treatment with the kindly doctor (no evidence of treatment but i did snap my shoe/sock combo in the car so there’s that).

Oh & listened to the national high school baseball tournament on the radio while going to seitai treatment and watching the bullet train roll by. Japan Life indeed.

Then, back at Tsuchida Station, cobbled together 6 + 1 chairs and tidied up enough to have our first dinner in the renewed house.

Such Fun with my squad: father in law Takushi, mother in law Junko plus the Mac the goat farmer, Manami the designer and my Ryoko and Ichiro.

We ate massive deluxe bento boxes of gourmet items + fancy sausages from Doppo Brewery along with growlers of Dunkel & Kolsch made just a couple km away.

Aside: Small scale brewing was legalized in Japan in 1996 after I left the first time and one of the very first was right here near my house – called Doppo – they were a centuries old sake maker that added new skills and product. All *very serious* German styles but now added some more styles using local grapes and other seasonal fruits.

They have these incredible weird fliptop growlers like I’ve never seen before too. Strangely enough, they are brewpub is super close to me but because of corona, I’ve never gone in there to actually eat and drink, just get take away .

Anyhow: of course the goat farmer rolled in with a whole variety pack of German, Danish, Italian and other location brews.

Did i mention the yakiniku wagyu?

*Of course* Ryoko fired up the first use of the new oven and made her first cake, double-double with icing, fruit and nuts and decorations.

Ichiro was duly impressed.

Much laughs with the gang and snaps as evidence and then records in the kura with Mac & Manami. I’m a very fortunate lad.

Plus wrapped it by taking the trash out by midnight in pyjamas.

Memo: Of course, we’re still in the midst of getting settled into the new/old house “Tsuchida Station” amidst rainstorms so I’m a little bit behind in your lovely messages ~ don’t worry, each well noted each will be replied with full vigour and enthusiasm {& likely postcards…}

Ichiro getting settled into the new/ old house

Today was putting away things in the closet and kitchen, we’re getting there, full video tour to follow eventually because you know me, I always need too many projects.

Zam!: Speaking of silly hats and kind words, you know i love a collage (or static montage) and this photo flashback from my dear friend Rebecca in Vancouver dang near brought me to tears. Thanks so much for the awsum snaps of (some of) our adventures and for your friendship and thinking about me. Truly. {& already of daydreaming of Stanley Park picnics with you and John.}

via @Miss604 twitter

You are each and everyone of you so wonderfully kind for thinking about me and sending along your sweet messages. Settled in with hot coffee and leftover cake to write postcards of gratitude, {mostly postcards of me wearing silly hats}.

3 of us Aug 16, 2021 (see Aug. 16, 2020) photo by Mac Kobayashi

Note: if I don’t have your address or if you’re not sure if I do https://daveostory.com/more-daveo/postal-club/

Obviously and fondly, Daveo

“set” for “Castles, Foundations and Pyjamas video (note Jack Kerouac apple pie and vanilla ice cream, Utah Brautigan hat, sweet notebook, 50 & 51 items and other talisman)

PS did you watch my birthday annotations recapping the year video? Includes musings from Saskatoon to Tsuchida & many points & topics, riffs between over 51 years today {yes it involves some poorly played baritone ukulele!}