Homesick

I'm a bad ass biker bear, AND I'm Christian... USA! USA!

It's the little things, really...

Relax

I grew up with pets... always! We had the most popular kitty mommy within our township. Her name was Kermit and she kept us in a steady supply of kittens every few months for about 9 years. So, being the ultra-urbanite or whatever, that I am I miss not having a pet. A constant companion, distraction, pillow, and buddha box.

Enjoy with me, from the comfort of your own computer, the purr site:

New Obsession: Leslie Hall

I heard of Leslie Hall a few years ago when talking to my friend about the underrated mid-western art form of GEM SWEATERS. At the time I had a baby blue sweatshirt with a red robin applique, sprinkled with rhinestones.
I couldn't explain it, but something pulled me towards this sweater and I loved it for quite some time (all be in the privacy of my car while driving to school, and quickly stashing it under the drivers seat in the community college parking lot).

In short, I feel Leslie's attraction to these shiny, yet casual tops. It's an everyday glamour, and each is unique. I wish I could befriend her and go sweater hunting in Iowa. We could even get our hair did while eating chips.

Snow Days

I miss the winter morning promises of the Snow Day. Rushing out of bed earlier than normal to check the schools
scrolling on the bottom of the local NBC. Of course I would miss the name of my school the first two times around feeling more and more anxious with each scrolling pass.

As an adult, there are no snow days anymore. And excitement of getting a possible hour or two of relaxation time doesn't really pan out anymore.

Because it is winter, and we all need little cozies to snuggle up with. Here are my pre-thanksgiving wonderfuls!

Number 1) Maccarons!!!!! I love these things!!! like little cake things with a crunchyish outside and moisty inside. Favorite flavors, Rasberry, and Pistachio.



Number 2) Hot Latte, this is my sad morning pick up. When I am feeling a bit droopy, and cold. A nice hot latte does the trick.

That's basically all I need in the morning. What do you love friends?

PS. While posting this I realized how hard it actually is to find a photo of a Dean and Deluca's take out coffee cup. Hm.

Tokyo: My Favorite Contemporary Museum

The most famous contemporary museum in Tokyo could quite possibly be the Mori Art Museum in the prestigious Roppongi Hills. The Roppongi neighborhood brings fellow gaijin from around the world, to look upon internationally famous exhibitions. It's flashy, it's famous, and it is crowded.

The best kept "secret from gaijin" museum, to me is the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art. When most of us think of Shinagawa, memories of the cold and sterile national immigration office turn the most well meaning registered alien off. Nestled in a tight and windy residential neighborhood is this modest museum home to the most interesting international contemporary artists.

From the outside, it looks like a Miami stucco bungalo, but in the middle of the city. Only the mirror like stainless steel sculpture in the front yard hints at what could be inside.

First off, their collection is amazing. Upon walking in the front door, you are greeted by a Nam Jun Paik , like it is the most natural thing in the world. Just hanging out in the vestibule. The newest drawings added include rare pieces they acquired during the Henry Darger exhibition. The collection also includes the Yoshitomo Nara studio he build during his residency at the Hara, left untouched like a childhood dream.

Towards the back of the museum is a lovely outdoor sculpture garden. In the summer you can order a picnic basket full of snacks and wine, complete with a red-white check blanket. You can sit in or next or on top of the sculputres as well! No security guards to tell you what to do.

The overall intimacy and homegrown comfort of this museum makes an enriching experience. There are countless lectures, events, and an exciting roster of international artist to see. Unlike the Tokyo cool-hype museums that wish to draw international visitors through fancy architecture and "trend" art, the Hara Museum is a place for true art lovers. An environment for personal interaction and experience with a variety of intelligent and authentic creativity, this comfortable and low frills museum is where art is breathing in Tokyo, not just another white space with a gift shop.

***NEW EXHIBITION THIS MONTH***
Pipilotti Rist: KaraKara
Begins November 17th, 2007
Closes February 4th, 2008




*The artist will be giving a lecture in English on November 17th!
(I totally love her, and I am stoked for this show)

Thankful things

Is it weird to feel like the week is almost over when it's only Wednesday? For me Wednesday begins the slide to weekend-ville. It makes the rest of the week ease on by.

I am spending the greatest part of my time here alone. This may sound sad and scary, and it was for the first um... 2 years, but now I find it very useful.

Quite contemplation, and not being distracted by train conversations makes room for a nice little meadow in my brain to suss things out for the day. I felt almost instantly, how inspiring this city is. So many people actually doing, most in private as well. Like a country of Henry Dargers .
No need to be a show boat.

The "creative competition" here is from such a large pool, it almost doesn't exist. So many people making amazing things and filling their kitchen cupboards. People opening onto ideas, rather that forcing a presentation.

It's just not as garish as Baltimore, if you can believe that. Patience and modestly are really working wonders on me now.

Video: Meiji Jingu

Bad news. My digital camera is broken. I am SO bummed out about this.
I bought it last Spring here in Japan and was so jazzed at the possibilities! I took min-videos and photos of everything, but now, no more! I have to read over my warranty this weekend to see if I can exchange it for a different one.

For now, here is a video I took last Spring from the Meiji Jingu temple in Harajuku. It was a special celebration of Japanese culture for the "Golden Week" holiday. This includes ikebana, dance, music, and amazing costumes.

Enjoy!

Week 1- sort of.

Oh, herro again flends. I have been back in Japan a total of 5 days, and I feel like I am finally getting adjusted again! Today I slept in for the first time.. ah 7am never felt so good. Now, you may call me a baby but in Baltimore I start work at 3pm-ish so I generally REALLY sleep in when I sleep in, you know? I have gotten my desk back and re-arranged my good luck bingo/business items. You can see my kokeishi dolls, on the bottom left. These are super tiny and make a squeaky crying sound when you twist their heads. Next is my Petite Blythe! The fairy is me and the frog is dustin. Totally appropriate, right? The dice are actually tiny boxes of caramels! By far the best candy packaging ever. The fact that it's a paper toy candy instead of some huge plastic novelty candy package is nice I think. Imagination with paper.And super cute!!!!
The candy inside is just ok though, I'm not too into caramel.

I'm excited for the weekend and my extensive toy search! It's going to be great. Nakano Broadway here I come!!