Rushed to bus to seitai so now posting a “timestamp” photo to show that I’m at seitai (& my fluffy hair is full of static electricity) Dec. 1, 14:20
My favorite flowers in the seitai office entryway, maybe I forgot to mention but my thoughtful wife bought me similar on the anniversary of my mom’s passing.
Continue reading Diary: always on repeat, bus to seitai, postcards and coffee, ramen with darlingsFor starters: Usual routine, photo evidence, heading for treatment by bus (with my fare card) every fibre in my adorable body fumimg in pain
(Always sunny in Okayama) #cardigan
Today’s flowers in the doctor’s office entrance foyer.
A few of my creative endeavors from poetry book to postcards to umeboshi (plus Ryoko’s wreath) on display at the doctor’s office. There are more scattered around here.
Continue reading Diary: seitai, bento, buses & snapsGM: Gosh, trying to do everything right but still every night is a lousy night sleep.
Tossing and turning and twitching, up-and-down, aches and pains – hoping to get up, nutrition and onto the bus for treatment but keep on wondering “is it worth it?”
Nervous about week ahead
Now: oxygen; next: dishes, bath, more oxygen, meds + supps, meditation & sleep.
{ichiro snoring beside me}
this week has a lil overnight trip to nearby Kurashiki for school event & back to hospital solo on Friday
Maybe seitai tomorrow
Trying so hard (but trying not to) <3
PS To my pals around the world always saying “dude, you gotta do cold plunges”
Continue reading Diary: Tossing, turning, snoring & nerves and Santa tasks
Back from seitai with kindly sensei & feeling spun and bit blue / confused or some combo and wearing a dead man’s wonderful brown cotton jimbei, attempting a somewhat useful ramble while a bit scrambled up.
Namechecks and stories about/from:
* Casey Bean of The Beanpod with stickers & personal narrative
* Diego the street sketcher with a Hermes Baby typer letter
* Pam from Pacific Blue days with BC pins (which Ichiro loved!)
* Emma Swift with LP of Bob Dylan songs & mental well-being challenges
* Andrew McLuhan carrying on father Eric & grandfather Marshall’s media message literacy work + punk rock & poetry
* Passports from 1960s UK awaiting remixing like Jason Emde (poet of “little bit die” & Writers Read Their Early Sh*t pod) and others filled with poetry, ephemera, maps & secret compartments
* A side bar about Bob Dylan’s propensity for leaving the stage early (probably because he has some painting or welding to do but maybe he just has some things on his mind that he doesn’t have ability to share with someone who will just listen), then:
* Soviet-era documents sparking a conversation about what constitutes identity and why we carry a little bit of stationary to declare who we are… avoiding the rabbit hole of discussing sovereignty, residency, citizenry and other digressions.
And (another) foreshadowing about the simple task of putting postcards into an album because each is so precious i feel should talk about each one individually so maybe get around to it if you hang out with me.
A bit of the fantastic Newfoundland band “Hey Rosetta!” gently frames the conversation with “sorry this is it, cold and hard and badly lit, but there’s no backing out of it…”
And there’s a birthday greetz for John Biehler via Stanley Park and tea.
And backdrop paintings by John Ferrie (he’s got a sale going on) providing a ‘Eye in the Sky’ panorama of our semi-recent BC invasion.
Really I’m just grateful to have you to hang out with as it’s beneficial for my mental and emotional well-being somehow.
Time-stamp snapshot from the bus to remind self that went for seitai treatment.
Riding air condition’d splendor of Uno bus on way to Seitai treatment. Yes, on a Sunday morning. The Doctor only sees patients on days which end with number 1, 3, 6, 8 / somethings you just don’t ask questions about.
{produces almost psychedelic experience with tremendous nueromemories long forgotten or sequestered in someway, bound up in neurological and muscle knots in various parts of body / hard to explain except the pathways become smoother >> but it’s a bit of a rocky road to get there}
Everything is analog + there’s always a new flower arrangement in the entryway.
Cash only, in a box. First come/served > write your name on the list (after appropriate bows), patiently wait your turn.
The treatment happens in a tatami mat room with a record player & epic collection of classical records. I took him a gift of a Glenn Gould playing Bach album.
I should note that it’s really fine when the magical dates line up with a day-off Sunday because of construction (previously demolition) on a building next-door which kind of kills the buzz of the quiet peaceful classical music tatami room.
PS there was also a fax machine conundrum on-site / when resolved, delivered news of the passing of another Sensei in hiroshima. Imagine: a group fax to announce your passing
Back on the bus, feeling like that beat up $20 bill you hide in your shoe when on a renegade hitchhike. Battered, bruised, tattered, diminishing in value however, I’m still up and at it, heading to medical appointment, (looking super cute ;) ha
For the record, these bus stop photos are not an exercise in vanity. (obviously), snapped as date/time reminders so I can keep my diary of medical appointments accurate, (if I forget to scribble in a note)
Back on beloved Uno bus with Wi-Fi service (my current phone doesn’t have data nor phone service. It’s basically just an iPod touch, but with a Sim slot, 2 actually, but neither operational)… Makes it a little tricky to time buses.
Had a bit of time to wait after checking the paper schedule at the stop sign so hit up the 7-Eleven for hot milk tea, steamed pork bun, and some gloves as it’s quite chilly out. Read Murakami Ryu’s “69” on a bench wactching street cars.
IMO Street cars are best all-around public transport when considering building/operating cost + ease of use, charm & accessibility.
This week is also back to the Okayama university research hospital // they are doing a really nice job with me, but my goodness, the anxiety ramps up as it’s a hectic day out and then a couple days of recovery :(
Really feeling tattered, battered and discouragement recently to be honest.
Importantly/subtext of all of this is: slow down, work on my mental health as well as physical health.
So much is wonderful but I just can’t seem to find any kind of the rythm & spark.
My wife is sensational, my kiddo, exceptional, my in-laws, fantastic, our home is generally all right (always something to be done & often bit messy because life but you know,…) and so much I want to do creatively, but I suppose I’m just tired of being tired #MECFS
Anyway, I’m home now, going to warm my dog bones in a hot bath, maybe hit some turpentine brandy / as such, this concludes this episode of: “excessively translucent and vaguely mundane musings from a somewhat-washed-up, but generally good-hearted pal in provincial Japan”
fondly, dvo
Bonus: arrived home to the little fella waking up from his 38° plus fever nap, and having a messy throw up :( got that cleaned up with mama just in time for the groceries to be delivered. Whew, a bit of a whirlwind,… now about that bath.
Thank you for sticking with me pals.
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:
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).
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.
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.
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 tired, all the time + cant sleep
Waiting for a bus, bound for seitai treatment (now with sunny day scarf & a Mavili cap) / tough MECFS stretch of late, trying to shake it loose.
The seitai treatment is a really good reset for me – but it does sometimes shake loose some long lingering conundrums.
I mean yeah, I’m in a rough patch but I’m doing “things “*every day* where previously I would be in bed for weeks at a time. Anyhow, the doctor is a great dude, has the best record player I’ve ever seen and a massive collection of classical music. That said, times like this I really miss a 90 minute Bali spa massage.
Also thinking about Ayurveda in Nepal, the wonder of helping others, & Cmdr in Diego Garcia. We talked recently about checking in for a three week Panchakarma session in Pokhara and then heading back to Ghandruk, Annapurna District.
My favorite close-by restaurant to the clinic (Grilmori) has moved (or something) and i ended up at a rather unsatisfying hectic lunch experience at a coffee shop – did not document.
But I do have a photo of a sandwich at the hospital that should go on another post but well, it’s not like this is “Important” or anything. It’s a picture of a sandwich and a coffee
So… Back on bus, on way home #wipedout (saw a dead bird on a newspaper)
As usual, just annotating for future reference. Move along or sit down.
The last few weeks have seen busy-ness with the construction, wedding anniversary, wife’s birthday, Golden Week projects, a crash day, medical treatment, Mother’s Day, plus Ichiro’s nursery school routine,… {and a few other complicated projects}.
The next couple of days hoping to catch up busi-ness with on another batch of deluxe letters, postcards, art dossiers, treats all accessorized with a stash of stamps – both postal & inky (and continue my glacial pace of replying to *almost* three emails a week :-))
And… A few results of recent making/writing/glueing etc.
Love letters, Loved
Written with stick & blood ink
Fingerprint for proof
Plus: a few dispatches through the wormhole to intended recipients. A stationery sampler to Hez and mysterious India B&W lomo postcards to Beez. Yes amused and pleased.
Oh and…
Just arrived (May 6th for accuracy) at my seitai doctor’s office to see the painting print I gave him (Gravelly Beach No. 4 “Sakura”, oil on canvas sheet 2005) is framed and hanging in his waiting room.
Yep, I’m exhibited at goat farms, doctor’s offices and refrigerators around the world. To which my pal Dan in Massachusetts, said, “You’re on my wall too” with this evidence:
Reply: “You’re making me feel like a big deal here buddy. Truly appreciate it. I mean there’s nothing finer than sharing creative pursuits out into the world >> especially this “gravelly beach” series which has been sitting in storage for 15 years waiting to float around for people to breathe life into it”.
Now available as a postcard for purchase (but you probably already knew that or maybe already have this print)…
