Have a Glorious New Year's Eve Everyone!

Culture Shock Review

Folks keep asking me about culture shock. They assume that I had completely forgotten what life was like in The America. Well, they weren't completely wrong. The most dominant of these was driving... well, actually it was being the passenger. I've had a terrible time being a passenger. Now, to my credit, both my mother and my brother had a few wiggy moments on the roads recently, which didn't help matters. But that doesn't explain the continuing paranoidism. ;)

... don't mean they're not after you ...

I'm just jumpy right now I guess. I'm hoping to get over it. One thing though was that I was "the driver" most of the time before I left for Japan. Now that I'm back, I don't have a car of my own. Which leads to the second semi-culture shock. DAMN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS SLOW IN SEATTLE!!! I used it to get from Sea-Tac to Everett. TOOK 4 HOURS!!! That's the same time it takes to get from Osaka to Tokyo. And Japanese think that's a very long way! Me too quite frankly. So, as a result, my urge to be a carless American is disintigrating very qiuckly.

... get your motor runnin' ...

Then, I guess the normal set of things people would assume are affecting me. Talking to people that I don't know, cuz they understand what I'm saying. Trying to order food in a fast food joint. Also, digestion (which I'll refrain from describing) is an issue.

... kill your television ...

Lastly there's TiVo. My brother got it for my parents for Xmas. Now I had been uploading TV shows while in Japan. But TiVo is actually pretty cool. Nuff said. I guess there's a lot more that I'll be discoverring in the next few months. But things are too frantic right now to piece everything together.

When I'm 64...

Pop turned 64 yesterday. Had a great day deciding whether or not we'd feed him. In the end we decided we would. Also, my cousin E and Ing came to celebrate with Ing's mom (also my cousin, I got one brother, mother and father, but about 30 cousins... Strange.) Anyway, E told me that she actually checked out my blog. So that makes three people. But she said that I had to keep posting pictures. (Hi E ^wave^, think I could get a job with Nike? Sounds like you got a easy job. ^wink^) hehe ;)

Okay E, here's a shot from HR!

It's actually a picture from a couple of years ago, since there was a snow storm today and had no intention of going out in it. But tomorrow I'm hoping I'll be able to get some tomorrow. Second problem is that I accidentally put my camera's USB cable in the stuff that I am shipping home from Japan via ship. So I got about 150 images that I want to work with, but they're stuck in the camera for now. So, for my three fans, thank you for keeping up with me and my photos. Tell your friends. And have a happy holiday!

Back in the USSA

Yes, I do know how lucky I am... I've be watching the news... But frankly I really can't tell how long I've been gone. They seem to be running the same stories that they were running when I left after X-mas two years ago. I'm VERY happy to be back though! I've seen all my bestest friends once or twice now, and I realize how much I miss(ed) them. I'm going to do my best to get as much time as I can with them before real life catches up with me again.

Still Here

So, a week... no ...two weeks have gone by, and I still have no idea if anyone (except my good friends Tra and Mic) are reading this blog. Mother's being Mom's have a habit of saying... Oh, there's more on your blog now. I haven't checked since you sent me that last message in April. CHEESE!!! Well, I'm also disappointed in Ms. BK, who inspired me to continue with this self congratulatory masturbatory exercise. But she has since continued on her merry way, finding new and more interesting people.

Warning 1

So, until I get three confirmed readers, I'm going to switch to a weekly posting. If I find that people are actually out there. Then I'll up the postings.

OH, I'm home... Thought I was still dreaming.

Hidey Hidey Ho!

Well, I've finally gathered all the pieces, so I'm back in one piece again. Gained a slight bonus; I'm waking up rested at 8am. Which is very rare for me. I've been in touch (actually accosted) with lil R and his circle, and then went to watch a Seahawks game (why?dunno) with my Bro on Monday. Mostly I did it for the BEER!!! AHHHH BEAUTIFUL WASHINGTON MICROBREWS!

Love it.

My parents are in Hawaii this week, so I've got the place to myself, and I'm just basically sitting a giggling at commercials. I'm just about to make contact with the SOURCE. The Aims. Then I'll be up to see them on Thursday. Then It's the weekend, and on Saturday, I'm going to the Macha Monkey Auction... etc...
Glad I'm back, and though it may sound wierd, I'm glad Tacoma is being regentrified, or else I'd have had to drive to Seattle to make this post.

Good Bye Osaka

露武

Okay, so there'rs so many free internet places, I couldn't resist... this time it's good bye... and check out this cool Japanese Keyboard...

刃か ﾔﾛ ﾛ婆と ｵｵﾊﾞﾝﾉﾝ 簿 ﾌﾞ 奉 侮 露武

Paid $1000 to ship my stuff home...

...and the guy who packed my stuff harrased me about such a brief packing list. He insisted that I make a more detailed one with prices. So, I just made one. And, since the Home Security Whatchamaguys Have their GRUBBY MITS in everything these days, I figured I'd do a full disclosure of what I'm sending home... Enjoy Noseys.

Box 1

Various Used Hard Backed Novels
Various Used Soft Backed Novels
Notebooks from Japan
Photo Albums of Japan
Photo Frame Cutter
Empty Bottles with Labels

Box 2

Various Hard Backed Novels
Various Soft Backed Novels
Photography Books
Japanese Study Books
Travel Guides
Shodo Set

Box 3

Used DVD Player
DVD:s and CD:s
Various Hard Back Novels
Small Charms from Temples
Extension Cords

Box 4

6 Bowls
10 Cups
2 Backpacks
Memorabilia from Temple Visits

Box 5

Suits
Pants
Shorts
Summer Business Shirts
Memorabilia from Kobe and Wakayama

Box 6

Sweatshirt
Slacks and Pants
Jeans
2 Halloween Masks
Stuffed Cthulhu Toy
Bicycle Helmet
Turkish Bell Strings

Box 7

2 Pillows
Used Flat Screen TV 16"
PC Monitor (minutely defective) 17"
Soft Back Book
Power Strip
Joystick
Empty Nori Can
Empty Green Tea Candy Can

Box 8

US Micro-ATX Computer with Windows
(Purchased in the US, includes: Pentium 2.8GHz Processor, 1024Mb RAM, 40G HD, CD/DVD-RW, Floppy Drive, 128Mb Video Card)
Wireless Mouse
PC-Camera
Headset
2 Power Cables
2 16pin Cables
4 USB Cables

Box 9

Giant OCR III Road Bike with City Handlebars

Final Post from Nippon

Here's one last image from my trip to Tokyo in 2002.

enjoy the wierdness...

You see, it's finally time to pack the PC. This means that unless I visit a web-cafe (and remember all my passwords) I won't be posting again in Japan. Boo hoo... etc. I'd like to thank all the people who've helped me over the years... etc.

Aw, heck!

I'm going to be seeing all y'all soon enough anyway... So, this is Rob, signing off... Oh-ya-sume-nisai. See you in the US.

Fun Car Go!!! clap clap clap!

Finally drove in Japan. Got this cute little step-van by Nissan. Not actually a car I'd like to own, but it's sure cute. Also, doesn't really have any guts. Anyway, went for a beautiful drive over the "mountains" between Kyoto and Lake Biwa. Drove over the "pass". (Took 25 minutes...pff.) The view was beautiful, would have taken some pictures, but I was driving. Not sure why no one else did, but whatever. Then we tried to go around the lower part of lake Biwa, but my navigation system failed me, and we ended up going about 30 minutes the wrong direction. We finally got to Yetanathu-Jo, not impressed. Nothing will ever beat Himeji-jo.
It was great to get a chance to drive once, since I'd gone through all the trouble of getting a international driver's license. And driving on the opposite side of the road isn't really that big a deal. My biggest problem was turning on the windshield wipers every time I took a left or right. Everything else was a cinch.

Macha Monkey Meets StoneMonkey and his sidekick Banana

My cohort, and fellow tradition buster have been blessed with the opportunity to donate a few of our photos. Some friends are having an auction to support their theater troupe. This is very important, since J and I have not had many people from the outside world see our work. Those two people who visit me here are the only other people who've been lucky enough to see my work. Macha Monkey is a worthy cause, and we'll get some good publicity out of it. And, it'll be a great way to get back into the world called US.

Macha Monkey's Auction and Cabaret will be held December 10th at 8pm. (click for MM's site)

The four images that we're presenting are very typical of the style that J and I have developed. I'm a huge fan of landscapes, and he loves details. The four pictures are a culmination of what we've been working for for the past two years. J hadn't really done much photography before he picked up his camera in Japan. And I'd been only using cheapo point and shoots up until I got my first digital camera in Japan. Our style has grown leaps and bounds since we started comparing notes, and critiquing each other's work. And though we're not harsh on each other, we do tell it like it is. Though it helps that we agree with each other quite often.


I'd love for you to come to the show if your in Seattle, and for some crazy reason you read my posts, but don't ever comment (you can always send me an e-mail).

Poor Sick Baci

JM and Mike's dog is sick. Please prey on...er...pray FOR it.

The Law of Accelerating Returns

The Law of Accelerating Returns
by Ray Kurzweil

An analysis of the history of technology shows that technological change is exponential, contrary to the common-sense "intuitive linear" view. So we won't experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century -- it will be more

like 20,000 years of progress

(at today's rate). The "returns," such as chip speed and cost-effectiveness, also increase exponentially. There's even exponential growth in the rate of exponential growth. Within a few decades, machine intelligence will surpass human intelligence, leading to The Singularity -- technological change so rapid and profound it represents a rupture in the fabric of human history. The implications include the merger of biological and nonbiological intelligence, immortal software-based humans, and ultra-high levels of intelligence that expand outward in the universe at the speed of light.

Autumn has come early...

...for this blog. As interest is waning, so will my photography posts...

Mo ee terru!!!

It's On Fire!!!

Just a little hint that Autumn has come to Japan.

Mo ee terru!!!

This is a raw image, still smoking from the camera. Stunning fortune today. Guess someone at the Japanese Weather Control Center knew they owed me one. I did them a bunch of favors at the beginning of summer by using my Washingtonian Rain Maker powers. I swear Japan HAS weather control.
If you've got $1500 burning a hole in your pocket, and can handle a 9 hour economy seat, get your hot crossed buns to Tofukuji. Track 10, from JR Kyoto Station. One stop. Do it.

Sold... American!

Made my first sale today. A friend decided he needed a few altered memories of his visit to Osaka, and got a few bunnies as well. Figure the bunnies were for his new lovely wife. Congratulations Chris and Kris! Glad you found homes for the bunnies.

Echo.

Echo. Echo.

My Life as a TV Show

Funny the thoughts that spin in an Amerikan kids head. Most recently (moments ago actually) I thought about asking Paul Allen if he would let me photograph some of his really expensive Chahuli Glass to use as stock photograpy. Now if this were a TV show, it would be a perfectly plausable thing for the down and out young naieve photographer to do. And Mr. Allen would of course say yes. Then he would ask about the portfolio that I happened to have, and then find my real art good. Then he'd pay me a lot of money for one of my real pictures.

The Rich Man says, "How about I buy one of your photographs, Rob, and you won't have to do all the stock photography work."

Yeah, right... So, then the fantasy just sorta spins off from there. I thought about sending all of my old bosses photos, and telling them how my life has turned out better due to the inconveniences of quitting/being semi-fired/loosing the chance because the company can't afford the pay-off to the temp agency. Maybe I should, and maybe I'll remember to do it when I return to the US. Something like that did work before. My renewed friendship with Mike Daisey (of _21 Dog Years_ fame) was a result of one of these "'Vengence' is bessed served with a cherry on top" ideas.

In his blog he said, "As geeky and dorky as this story is... I think I was hurt by his departure and his silence, and it took me a year and a half to figure that out, but I am terribly thankful that I did, because, as they keep telling us whippersnappers, life is short."

So, life is short, and I might as well do the things that I feel, though silly or fruitless, they don't hurt anyone, and moreso, they actually do something nice for them. I won't expect any favors, and if Karma exists (which I'm quite happy for it not to), maybe I'll get a few points that will be repayed in this lifetime.

Tabun. BeeMeeYo...

Picture of the Dime - Byodoin Temple, Japan

This is the famous temple that can be found on the back of every 10yen coin. Quite old, and hasn't been repainted in years. Went today. Man it was tough getting up early. I was even an hour later than I wanted, and I almost went back to bed. But, I proved a point to myself. Photos rely on light, of course... But they really need GOOD light. That is light that creates shadow and depth. I got the bulk of the photos between 10am and 11am. If I'd taken them between 8am and 9am, They might have been better. Although, I'm quite happy with the B&W's that I'm getting. Enjoy.

More and More...

Just Updated my Submissions to Better Photo on the Portfolio Blog... These same photos are, of course on my JaR Imagery site as well. I've had some requests recently for copies for Backgrounds. Please feel free to just post these as your screen Background. Robert's Photographic Portfolio
P.S. Yahoo and MSN suck for uploading photos, so disregard that crap about my photos being elsewhere...

Stonemonkey Gets The Big Prize - G'don'ya J!

I've decided to restart attempts to get kudos from other photographers. My friend and cohort Jason G just got a 2nd place award from Better Photos. It's a really good site, and has a lot of great photographers. I myself have only gotten an honorable mention... oh well... :)

Jason's Award Winning Photo

Rob's Honorable Mention

Give Me Ninja!

"The Ephemeral Ms. White" by Lecram Sinun

Found a great sketch on line while surfing other blogger sites... Read the sketch it's really funny... By the way, the rest of his blog's pretty cool too. (also, I renamed his sketch, sorry LS, just sounded like a better title for my blog post)
Sketch

More to love!

101k! YES!

BOO!

A moment of Vanity

Autumn Suddenly

Yes, it is most definately Fall. Wen't for a ride today, and hardly broke a sweat. That is to say, I was riding at my usual pace, but the temp was perfect. It's nice, I like Autumn in Japan. They say it's their best/favorite season.

Bo Peep

Cos-Play is a national passtime for many young women in Japan. Strangely enough, they're fairly reluctant to strutt for the camera. Once a girl told me in class that it's a form of rebellion. Many feel that the cutlure treats them like useless pretty girls, rather than smart women. So, they dress accordingly to make a point. Which of course is lost on the recipients of the statement.

Addended 10/25/05
Ms Bees Knees said...Cos-Play? What does that mean? I thought they were Harajuku girls like in that Gwen Stephani song. Or is that something different?

Nope BK, you have the general idea though. I figure (cuz I've only been to Harajuku once) that there's two flavors of ladies there. One is the Harajuku Girls of Stephani fame. Those are the ones who are putting on Tokyo Modern Fashion/Post School Girl Style. The other is Cosplay (pron: kosupudray). Costume Play is similar to what you see here. They dress themselves very Holly Hobby, or similar to their favorite Manga (J.Comics) Characters. For boys and girls, by the way... There's a similar area in Osaka called Ame-Mura (America Town) that has a lot of Cos-Play types. So it's not restricted to Tokyo (or Osaka for that matter) Hmmm...TMI I think at this point.

Ready, Set, Go Home...

Doing photography, and teaching in Japan has been an astounding experience. I'd been shooting pictures in Japan for about two years, when the interest really took hold again. This adventure I'm on has been amazing, and I'm very much planning on making it last as long, and in as many places as I can. A friend commented recently that I have become "seasoned" since he last saw me. And the same could be said about him (and his lovely wife) as well. I'm glad people can see the change that I feel. Now that it's time to head back, I'll have only memories of this time. Even though there will be more events like this in my life, I'm sure that this will remain among the most significant. But, of course, I've said that every time... Oh, well.

Golly.

This was my favorite image during the summer. My new favorite is Eternal Coy Eternal.

As I'm ramping up for insertion back into reality, I've been surfing my history. After an unfortunate loss of memory upon the transition between post university, and real life, I took more precautions to reatain my memory. Then, had a close call between post Mac and Japan life, but with the help of the Tuck retained said memory. Now, as I was reviewing these memories, I came upon an image I never completed. I have a vague memory for what it was for, but it's a curious artifact from my past. Enjoy. I've watched an entire season of Alias in one week. Apologies.

Looking Up

Ya know, I keep looking up. People always say, "keep your head up." I tell ya, my neck's really getting a kink in it today. It does lead to a nice photo now and again though. Send some love.

Eternal Coy Eternal

Wen't to Himeji Castle for the third time during my stay here in Japan. I have to say, of the 10 or so castles I've seen, Himeji-jo is the best. They also have a garden tour that you can take first, which is a great walk as well. I've got about 40 good pictures I'm going to upload to the JaR Imagery site sooner or later... hopefully sooner. The coy that I saw there were amazing as well. I decided to write a Haiku too.

Coy are pretty cool.
Coy are pretty and neeto.
Coy are white and red.

Grace's Acres in Hood River, Oregon

This is Grace's Acres. Grace Tebbs was my Grandmother. Shortest in the family, but the only one who played basketball. Go figgure... My Ma and Pa (since they're farmers now) built a place on the property, and started up the orchard again. I love this place. Up the hill from Hood River. It's a beautiful place in all seasons.

The Butterfly Metaphor

Not that I believe it or anything, but I swear to you I've seen nearly a hundred butterflies in the last two weeks. I think it's actually an issue of biology and the cycle of insects.
There are almost no mosquitoes this season also.

Nice.

Wood or Slater

So, as I continue to join the world of the Net, I discover new little things about myself. Now, of course everyone hates to hear themselves on audio. I do too. I got a microphone for my computer, and I used it to send a voice message to my parents, and, upon listening to it, I had a strange question pop into my little brain-pan. What I can't decide is who I sound like. I'm debating between Christian Slater (not doing a Jack impression), or Elija Wood if he were six feet tall. What do those of you who've heard me think? And I think I do this wierd nasal thing sometimes. Do you guys notice that? This is what blog's are for, right?

Amanohashidate and Japan Sea

Please visit my photography website for more images.

Amanohashidate

Quite a mouthful. I realized that since I'm wrapping things up here, I had a few things still on my list. Unlike the bike incident, the Japan Sea turns out to be a wonderful place. Had I planned on staying longer, I would definitely make it one of my work places. Amanohashidate is one of those tourist towns that has but two major features. And they're beautiful. I went there over the weekend. It's views are great. The sky there was magnificent.

... grab your ankles and look behind you ...

The main point of Amanohashidate is to see the "Bridge in Heaven." The bay has a long beachfront that stretches from one side of the bay to the other. And upon each hill there's a lookout. As you can see in the pictures, people go up to these lookouts, bend over and look between their legs. And, if you look long enough, they say you can see the bridge to heaven. I personally think it's the blood rushing to your brain that makes it work, but that's me. See if you can see it yourself. I saw a couple making a wish. And though I didn't get the picture, there were these cute ladies that laughed and laughed after they tried it. Quite a sight to see four grannies trying to bend over... yeah, just too funny to type about...

... if you have the spare $50 check it out ...

From Kyoto it's only a three hour train ride to see it. Unfortunately on the way back they put you in an unairconditioned diesel train. So I was a bit sick when I returned. But the blue sky, ahhhh, what a day.

... Oh Yeah, and Remember to Get in a Bike Accident Before You Leave Japan ...

... and sometimes there are things to blog about ...

Well, after 4 years having only two bike accidents is pretty good. (knock on cherrywood) First, I'm okay, thanks for asking. The accident wasn't as serious for me as it was for the bike, poor guy. If my Mom hadn't bought me a bike helmet I know I would have been worse off.

... okay, $100 sounds fair ...

So, here's the short version. I'm riding around Umeda, the main part of Northern Osaka, and there's way too many people (as usual) so I decide to take a side street, then take another short cut, then switch on to the taxi turnaround. I'm trucking along, and I round this corner, and there's an Executive Taxi in my path. Now I DO manage to stop, though I couldn't get them to understand that later, but it doesn't matter. But the taxi driver isn't as good as I am at these sudden situations, so he crunches into my bike HARD! I go into, what I've termed "spidey mode" where I spawl out, and try to keep some semblance of balance while the front bike tire twists underneath the front of the car. My first thought is, "oops, you dumb shfit you were being all cool, and it bit you in the assphalt as usual." But the second thought was, "if you give this freakin taxi driver even a hint that you think it was your fault, he's going to walk all over you, and anyway, he wasn't even paying attention, stupid idiot." So I began to swear. The kind of swearing that I've learned from the Aussies and Kiwis that I've met over the years. Of course in the back of my mind I'm a little sad that I have to be mean to this taxi driver. But then I remember that he's an Osaka Taxi Driver, the lowest filth in the transportation industry. And this guy is an Executive Osaka Taxi Driver, which means that he's complete bottom feeder material. And as soon as he steps out of the car, I can tell, he's going to try to make it my fault. But the adrenaline has already been routed to the correct part of the brain, so I'm good. So, I point at the bike, speak in nasty fast English, and tell him whatfor about how he could have stopped if he had been paying attention. Which IS true, the guy wasn't even paying attention to where he was going, just zipping along his fancy taxi and all.

... "can you call the police? you know, police? BANG BANG" ...

I love that moment. So, he goes running off thinking that he's going to get extra time to tell the police what an idiot I am. And I know that the police don't like taxi drivers. I figure this guy must have forgotten, or he thought that I was some green foreighner who would crumple under the polices gaze. But what he doesn't know is that I'm a veteran of dealing with Japanese authority figures, and public servants. So I let him run off to do his thing, and have a smoke. Meanwhile, I call the "education planning section" of my company for some translation advice. I explain the situation by the time the cops finally arrive. Two of them come, one, a well kept young woman, wearing a flak-jacket, and the other a clean-cut beat cop who doesn't eat too many doughnuts, and probably keeps his weight down playing with his two cute kids. I'm the winner. Anyway, after that it's just waiting for the right moment to suggest a price. I know that the taxi driver will try to get out of trouble, so I talk about damage costs, and he suggests that he can pay me right now, and I say that I can go to the bike shop (less than 5 minutes walk away, great service) and get it fixed there no problem. I've got nothing broken, and refuse an ambulance, show them my tiny little scratch. And they buy it, hook, line $100.

... what a great way to begin the ending ...

So I go to the bike shop, drop off the bike, head over to the Outback for dinner, have a Chicken Ceasar Salad and a Coke, go back, pay $50 for the new wheel (a beautiful new Shimano wheel, I might say), and head home. Yep, today was a great day! Oh, and I got some great pictures of Osaka Castle to boot. Yep, great! I love Japan.

... I'm gunna miss this place ...

Must Focus

Recently a friend put up some brilliant Black and White photos that she took. And I was reminded of two things.

1) This blog is supposed to be more of a photo blog, so people will go
look at my actual photo site. I got caught up with the whole blogging, and
commenting on the situation back home. But I came to Japan to get away
from all the politics and hubbub.

and

2) I still haven't made a penny more from photography, and the whole goal
is to make money with these images. Yes, I won't be compromising my art to
make money. I don't even think I know how, so there's no point in doing
anything that I don't like.