(When in need: one dirty and forgotten umbrella (stained), a drumstick, tape (of course) and plastic containers)(When in need: one dirty and forgotten umbrella (stained), a drumstick, tape (of course) and plastic containers)May 2007
8 posts(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.