Tobacco Road.

Can't get rid of the darned thang!

2011-01-08T16:09:00.001+09:00

This was taken while travelling on the ferry between Hakodate and Aomori. I was looking over the rail and when I turned around I noticed that I had a travelling companion...Something I was sorely missing on this trip.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

2011-01-01T15:51:00.002+09:00

There and back again

2009-05-11T07:46:00.004+09:00

Went away for the Golden Week holiday.
I saw this:

Actually I saw many of them. The Koi-nobori (flying carp) are abundant. They represent the children of the house and celebrate their growth into adulthood. That's the short version of the story.

Revival

2009-05-02T00:56:00.002+09:00

I have been working out quite a lot of personal issues and now I think that photography will help.
I am returning with all new pictures in a couple of days.
I don't know what course the blog will take, but there willl be action here, after all it's Spring, a time for rebirth.

Sorry I haven't posted.

2008-12-30T23:36:00.004+09:00

In Japan, if you see a smokestack chances are that you are near a bath house. If you see this mark, which is the Hiragana for 'YU', meaning hot water, then you're not in trouble. Your in the right place. Oh, and by the way- men and women bath separately. Too bad.

Two homes?

2008-12-25T23:19:00.002+09:00

I have always been torn between the natural beauty of Morioka and the exciting urban sprawl that is Manhattan. There is nothing that compares to the attitude of a New Yorker and the Kindness of those who live here in Lilliput.

These kinds of Christmas scenes are what really keep me warm all through Winter.

That and a wee dram of whiskey...

Happy Holidays.

Anyone seen him...

2008-12-23T06:57:00.002+09:00

...the jolly fat man wearing red and travelling by sleigh?

Well, it looks as if we will be having a white Christmas after all. We sure got plenty of snow to play with.

Framed Nest

2008-12-19T23:23:00.003+09:00

This is a better view of where the birds work and play. I wonder if the pretties look at us the same way we look at them. Why do boids have such beautiful plume and how is it that we emulate them?

...of a feather, flock together

2008-12-18T23:29:00.002+09:00

The previous little twitter has a mate. They are both being eploited in a way that pleases me. Well I do feel sorry for them, but I like the fact that I can view them.
What do you think I am talking about?

Show bird - Part I

2008-12-16T23:03:00.003+09:00

This little fellow has a tough life. Well maybe not so tough but somewhat unusual. Try and guess where he lives?
I shall reveal the answer over the next few days.

Japan = Cute

2008-12-11T23:11:00.002+09:00

Cute is the word in Japan. We gave you Hello Kitty, but we didn't stop there. Everywhere you look wild anime are running around. They even devour our garbage!

What cuteness do you have in your life?

Another day, another dollar

2008-12-11T08:53:00.004+09:00

The scaffolding has finally come down on one of my favorite buildings in Morioka.
This Bank was built in the Meji era when there was a tremendous amount of foreign influence on architecture in Japan. It feels nice to look at some of the incredible brickwork that was done way back in the day.

What's your favorite building?

Feeling rightous

2008-12-09T23:15:00.004+09:00

It might seem unusual to you to see a church on these pages when I usually display photos of Shrines and temples yet here it is. There are quite a number of churches in Morioka, but this is by far the most outstanding and largest of them. It is the Yotsuya Catholic church.

Santaaa Klawze

2008-12-08T17:28:00.004+09:00

I have been seeing a lot of this guy around town theese days. He's pretty popular and quite friendly. Folks tell me that he often brings them whatever they wish for if they've been good.
Well, I guess that means I ain't gettin any presents this year. Hee, hee, hee.

Living in the past

2008-12-05T23:27:00.003+09:00

I don't use one of these things anymore. Neither do most of the people I know. I guess they keep them around just in case Clark Kent shows up.

Playgrounds

2008-12-05T00:04:00.004+09:00

I woke up this morning and everything was foggy. During my morning constitutional I noticed that the local playgroung looked very serene and inviting. I had almost forgotten how much fun these places can be. I will try and find some more cool shots of where kids can gather and have fun.

What are your playgrounds like?

Oasis

2008-12-01T22:12:00.004+09:00

One of the nicest things one can encounter while out on a walk is a clean, working water fountain.
This one was especially nice because of the stone walk and the privacy afforded by the shrubery.

What are the parks in your town like?

Let's take a stroll

2008-11-30T17:09:00.004+09:00

I often wish I had more time to walk around town and enjoy the return of some really glorious weather. I spent most of the morning making two kinds of soup and pot stickers (gyoza) I love cooking and like to spend time in my kitchen, but Sunday is for meandering.

How do you like to spend your Sundays

I looked up

2008-11-29T21:24:00.003+09:00

After parking my car and this is what I saw. The sky seemed much more blue and deeper than the picture.

After almost eighteen years here street signs still confuse me.

Meet Sara

2008-11-28T22:57:00.002+09:00

This is SARA. She stands outside the 106 building. Behind her is ~~one of~~ the best Thai restaurants in the city. Before it was a restaurant it was the only cafe with al fresco dining. I can't tell you how many panini's and cups of espresso I had there, but I am pretty certain that I paid their rent a couple of times over during the years they were there.

Coffee shops, actually the Kissaten are an important part of Japanese culture. They are more like a second home than a place to get a double decaf-latte with lowfat milk. Coffee is slow time here.

What do you do to shift your gears into low?

It's spring again

2008-11-26T22:37:00.002+09:00

Well, not really, but I find it hard to believe that we were inundated with snow last friday.
The weather is balmy and warm enough for this cat to take a mid morning siesta. Let's just hope the driver noticed kitty before pulling out.

Othello

2008-11-24T20:28:00.002+09:00

The snow came and it went. The weather has returned to an unusual warmth and there is hope for a very late Indian summer.
I, for one, wouldn't complain. I really haven't had the opportunity to go out and take pictures. I hope you like this one.　In Japan the use of texture in the exterior of buildings often plays a major role in how we feel about the structure.
This is a picture of the runoff for a drainpipe. Much nicer than a simple exposed pipe, huh.

We got snow

2008-11-22T21:20:00.002+09:00

And it totally messed up my day. Have you ever had to change tires while it was snowing. Brrrrr! I still can't feel my fingers.

This is Mt. Iwate. I see this guy every morning as I pull out of my parking space and make my way to work. When I move, this will be one of the things I miss most about where I live.

What do you like about your neighborhood?

Secret Garden

2008-11-21T23:13:00.002+09:00

The leaves have fallen.
The end of the path I see.
Winter, white and cold.

Reading is fundamental.

2008-11-20T23:31:00.004+09:00

This is the old prefectural library. I really like this place because not only is there is a beautiful pond behind the building but the park in front is a place where people gather when the weather is warm.
It also happens to be the place where I wrote the first story that I ever showed to the public.
Come to Morioka! I'll show you a good time.