(Boys evening out)A photo from the Fukuoka-trip in May showed up on my desktop the other day.
And one more: Junpes (outmost right on the previous picture) girlfriend who were very cool. I think she was the one who found those scissors used to redesign Nobus pants. Fukuoka rocks.
Had to do -some- work in Sweden for all my ads. Here’s my buddy Jonas acting as “Monkey 1 through 12” out in nowhere. Hair, monoliths, etc will be added digitally later this summer.
Until then I got more material to collect. Got work and university as well. It’ll be a busy summer, as predicted.
My sister made a great job organizing the funeral in Sweden on such short notice. A few photos:
(It will take some time to get the stone produced)
(Skeptical looking sister, Me, Dads brother Jurek and dads wife Elena)
(Jurek and mom)
There’ll be more pictures from Sweden soon.
I’ll head to Sweden for a while later this week. Having some Whisky with dad. Be back soon.
Hi
An old friend of mine, whom I unfortunately haven’t been seeing too often lately, also lost her dad albeit a few years ago. Let’s call her Miwa. She told me something encouraging:
“I’ve been definitely feeling that I am with him every single day as long as I live. I assure you that your father is forever with you and you will feel it. “
…I listened, and I do feel it. He’s closer then ever, talking to me.
Skeptics out there, feel free to form an opinion on that, I don’t mind. But whatever you might think of it I’m sure anyone agrees that a parent who passes away don’t want their kids to just mop around.
Being alone, at home & crying, is such a waste of time. I’m not interested in doing that.
I headed out as any other Friday, but this time showing dad some friends of mine.
He’s just as glad as I that I’ve them.
Cool kids they are. The lot of them.
(Midorimidori-green green (low-leftish), Yoshiko (Right).
(Darts = Actual hits. Hence face)
(If Hoshino & I ever have a serious argument, this is probably how it’d look like)
(Guess who took this picture)
(Hoshino posing like a Hoshi should)
(Aoba was the first to reply when someone asked how to say umai in English)
(I’ve mentioned hand- expressions before. That’s Tamu on the left, by the way)
(do-I-have-to-I-don’t-wanna-be-eenet shot)
(Tenko, what’s with the glasses?)
(Tamu. I spot a peace-sign. I’m saving this)
(Handsome kids…)
(…and just kids)
(Kanako (left) Kousei (right))
(Always room for more peace-sign shots. I collect those, it’s a thing I do)
(Niceness. Got everyone. I hit the ‘publish blog’-button now)
My dad was taken away from me and my family today, after a week of struggling with the aftermath of a heart attack.
I wish I could have been there with him – he asked for us while at the hospital.
Dad, wish I could have shown you what a man I want to become. Something you could be proud off, something that I could do to show you my appreciation for the life which you gave me. But you were taken far too soon. How can I become something good without your guidance?
You better guide me from up there, big guy.
Izydor, I love you, you will always be in my heart.
(Green-Green looking more adult then usual)
(Life is backpacked)
(Eikaiwa. Kimmos middle-finger is wierd. In a nice way)
(Suprise-visit by Nishikawa)
(Inspecting Green-Greens hair (I need a shave))
(Aikawarazu.
…ee-jyan)
Aoba & Tomomi & Juli (& Ikuya), otsukaresama!
(When in need 2…)Charcoal leftovers from last week equals another grilling session. Yesterday in pictures:
Update:
After some (a few of them hillarious) inquires about the backdrop, let me explain:
we’re not urban explorers. This is simply the club/activity-rooms on campus.
There’s tons of them, and the general tone is that of a festival. Except without the cleaners. And you know what that means to these young hooligans (that includes me)? Yes, that’s right, the occasional Woodstock 99-styled fires accompanied with screaming leaps over them.
Back to the room talk:
From one room there’s a punk-rock group playing, the other houses bongo-drums. Then there’s movies, games and sports, such as the first one below which is for rugby.
I really love this place. It’s dirty, a bit cramped and damp, but you’re always welcome and there’s always something happening.
(fan-tastic times)
(Who’d bring nori (dried seaweed) to a bbq?)
(Right: a waterhose found its way to us. Then everywhere else)
(A new addition to Gyamas Tamabi-designs . That outfit was a hoodie before we got to the Izakaya)
(When in need: one dirty and forgotten umbrella (stained), a drumstick, tape (of course) and plastic containers)
Yesterday the sun was out and friends finally had some spare-time to help me out. So after months of hiatus I finally got started on the photos for those thingsI want to create. Very swell.
But months of planning, preparation, sketches made & props bought…everything got messed up because of the weather being windy enough to blow away that simple whitescreen I made. Over & over & over & over again.
But all in all: Lots of work, lots of fun. It will keep me busy for at least 3 more months.
(Out strolling with everyone)Yamanakako is a peaceful place almost by the foot of Mount Fuji. About a 3 hour ride from Tokyo. Turns out that the University owns a lodge there and most kids go at least once during the time at Tamabi.
This weekend it was mine and about 15 of the undergrad, masters- and soon-to-be doctors turn to go. The session was on the design and psychology of everyday things. “Norman-doors”, “The nature of human cognition”, that sort of high-caliber kind of studies.
And then there was beer.
Drinking with ones professor is common here. Have heard of no such thing in Sweden. Maybe Swedes fear a loss of respect for a teacher seeing him/her in the midst of some debauchery. But it makes sense. It’s good for relations.
This hazy but lovely way of communicating is something have absolutely no problems with since day one; I dig.
What I have had second thoughts off was the hotsprings.
See, the lodge at Yamanakako is about a 5 minute ride from the local “onsen” (hotspring). It was a terribly beautiful one out in the open, with the mighty Fuji on display right there from the tub. Of course we had to go.
Before Japan I don’t think I’ve ever seen a grown man naked. More less a professor. My professor. I had my doubts about the onsen. 2nd thoughts. Maybe 3rd too.
But I was wrong. It was pretty great sitting in a 41 degrees warm hotspring with him and the others, talking about how great it would be to sip sake while studying design right there in the tub, with Fuji on display. There were discussion on everybody chipping in on a “tamabi-runned minibus” so we could have all our classes in the hotspring. We talked about waterproof laptops and the correct temperature of the bath for us to spend a whole day in without getting overcooked.
All in all a good weekend of studies, with much uncovered and learned.
…Did I just pun?
Coming attractions
Coming Friday I’m throwing a b.b.q. on campus. If you read this, and happen to be in Tokyo, feel free to come over.
Last time I held something it was Mexican-themed. This time it will be in American fashion: hamburgers, hotdogs, Budweiser & Coors. Also Twister.
Speaking of which: after some uncarefull consideration (went to a Karaoke until 6 this morning) a pretty funny idea was born – Outdoor Twister 20 player game. What we will do is print up 5 more sets of Twister mats and spread it all out outside. It’ll be a heap of fun.
…I did it again didn’t I?
Update (24/5):
Rain tomorrow. B.B.Q. next friday instead.
We went to the beach at Tsujido a couple of weeks ago (right before Fukuoka). 6 in the morning, right after a club.
Finally got some pictures from it, but too hungover right now to write anything coherent about that day. Maybe next time jah?
(More comfortable then imagened)
(More of an idiot then imagened)
Friday, before hitting the town 12 at night with my former boss for some serious nommunication, there was some less serious such being done at Tamabi. Another “Shinkan”.
Beer showers don’t go about that often at Tamabi. But by that time Shinkan was ongoing some of the guys ‘d just got the word out that they’d been accepted to the biggest ad-agency around. Gyama, doing the thing he does, made sure the celebration was felt. There was much rejoice.
(Fukuoka folks are very, very friendly. Or maybe just interested in my beer)
(Amazing what design Gyama can create with some beer and a pair of scissors)
(The right side was where it was at)I went to the beach last week, followed by a trip to Fukuoka for 5 days, followed by a few nights out in Tokyo. But before all of this I dropped my camera to the ground , obliterating any chances of capturing those moments.
Luckily, other people had theirs. Photos which I will get, post right here. and maybe write a little about.
I’ll get it sometime next week.
Until then here’s a picture of some of those cool guys in front of a mountain.
(Casper, with his replacement)What’s with all the goodbyes lately? Caspers bye-bye party. Karaoke afterwards of course. Until 6 am, once again.
Gizmo, the guy taking over Caspers spot at Tamabi, will have a hard time filling his spot. But yesterdays (todays) testdrive vouched for a pretty swell summer-term.
Casper, we all will miss you. Come visit soon.
Update (05/09):
Sorry, “Kimo” and not “Gizmo”. But I will hold on to “Gizmo”. More great.
