Birthdays and such

Stitch n' Bitch

My Birthday

Carlos' Birthday







Out and About in Tokyo

All Hallows Eve

In little New Zealand we are much like Japan in the sense that as far as Halloween goes, although we are aware of it not many people actually go all out with the celebrations. Seeing as a lot of my friends here are Canadian or American I had no choice but to fully submerge myself in the festivities. Friday night is the usual stitch 'n' bitch gathering, but after a quick discussion amongst the girls we decided that Halloween was a good enough reason to throw in our needles for the evening and head out for a drink or two. We went into Chiba to a bar the locals like to refer to as "The Tent". I guess because it pretty much is a tent. The night didn't get too wild as I was saving myself for the real party on Saturday night.


I was a little torn when it came to deciding on a costume. Originally I had a Japanese school girl theme on the cards (as tacky as I realise that sounds) but after a few last minute um, issues with the skirt I had to look elsewhere. A quick trip to Toys R Us later, and an agonizing decision between the cellphone and the coffee milk and I was set.

I was invited by Anna to join her and some friends for a Halloween party in Ishioka. It took about an hour and a half by train followed by car ride through the country for what seemed like an eternity.

Upon arrival Anna and I got to work in the kitchen while everyone else perfected there costumes.

Because pictures speak louder than words in this case:

The next morning we were all feeling a little less than average and took some time to relax in the sun before making the long journey home. Told you it was in the country.

Ron Mueck

Although Tokyo is one of the most becoming of cities when it comes to art and design I have been ever so slack in experiencing any of it. Not through lack of trying, but it just seems as though the moment I find out about an exhibition or an artist who interests me I’m too late. This was the case recently when I was introduced to the work of Ron Mueck, whose art I would liken to a train wreck. There’s something in you that screams don’t look yet you just can’t tear your eyes away.

Mueck is a “hyperrealist sculpture” who was born in Australia and now works in the UK. His work recreates the human form in exquisite detail but on a huge scale.

Warning, his art may not be everyone’s taste but I couldn’t help but share. His exhibition running in Tokyo finished way back in September but I think it would have been amazing to see up close and personal.









Check out more photos of his work at: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=ron+mueck

RoadTrip

I have to say I'm really getting use to all these public holidays which keep popping up all over the show. The weekend just past was yet another 3 day weekend with Monday being a celebration of health and sport in Japan (On this day in 1966 the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics took place- or at least that's what the text book I've been teaching my students from claims).

Anyway, I was invited by some friends to join them on a road trip to Hakone.

Hakone is about a two hour drive from Tokyo and is well known for its Onsens (hot springs) and health spas. I assume it's where all the stressed out Salarymen from Tokyo escape to when they're not working excessively long hours.

I am unsure why they had ride-on Pandas...

The trip was organised by Nobu and he did an awesome job at finding an Onsen that was a little different. We took a very unstable looking cable car down to the base of this cliff...



Only to find a couple of private Onsens awaiting us.

(Please note this is not the actual Onsen, for some reason they wouldn't let me take my camera in, something about naked people and privacy. Go figure. ha)

The deal with Onsens for those of you who don't know is that it's a fully nude thing so there is always separate baths for males and females.

After soaking in the extremely hot (40-50 degree) baths for a few hours we were all pretty shattered but Hitomi insisted we check out the thermal activity park. It reminded me of Rotorua, maybe it was the fact I was tired or perhaps the smell, but I got over it real fast.


We slowly made our way back to Tokyo in the heavy traffic. The two hour trip took four hours even with the help of our nifity Japanese speaking navigation system.

We even saw Mount Fuji on the way back. This is honestly the closest I think I'm going to get to seeing it. Stupid pollution

Crystal Castles

A few months ago I was introduced to the electronic-type instrumental duo Crystal Castles, by a friend who much like myself, has an awesome eclectic taste in music.

After hearing they would be playing a show in Tokyo I did my best to convince anyone I knew to come with me. Since most people had no idea who or what I was talking about the task at hand proved quite the mission. I did eventually manage to persuade some friends to accompany me to last nights gig in Shibuya.

They kicked off at 7pm and played a few singles i recognised and some I didn't to a crowd of "alternate indie electro" Japanese kids, with a few foreigners thrown in the mix.
Just imagine something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=AOC4h5vVnMk

Where the crowd are dressed like this: (only Japanese)



Throw in a couple o' hundred pairs of these Ray Ban style glasses- in neon colours:


And you've got yourself last nights show.


I was a little disappointed after I staggered outside- limping, after making the very poor decision to wear sandals to the event, to find that the show had only lasted an hour. Considering the price of the tickets I thought this was a little unsatisfactory. That being said, the hour they did play was awesome.

Unfortunately, they took my camera off me at the door so I have no other proof than the Crystal Castles t-shirt I'm currently sporting.

You can check out their official music video here:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6p8d8_crystal-castles-crimewave-new-offic_music