What Was Once Japan Is Now Something New

Top Releases of 2010

2010-12-04T16:57:00.000-08:00

For whatever reason, these are the the jams that I've had on repeat this past year. Not a lot of time to wax poetic about how awesome they are (and they are!), but here's the list.
In no particular order:

1) Flying Lotus- Cosmogramma
2) Etoile De Dakar- Once Upon A Time in Senegal-'79-'81 (reissue)
3) Autechre- Oversteps
4) Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate- Ali & Toumani
5) Massive Attack- Heligoland
6) Grinderman- 2
7) King Midas Sound- Waiting For You
8) Mako Sica- Dual Horizon
9) Richard Skelton- Landings
10) Propaganda- A Secret Wish (deluxe reissue)
11) Philip Jeck- An Ark For the Listener
12) Sun City Girls- Funeral Mariachi
13) Strand Of Oaks- Pope Killdragon
14) Bruce Springsteen- The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story

2010-10-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

Hey all, this is Frida. We all know that Ian's been a lazy ass with his blog, so I'm doing this one.

Anyhow, it's really great to be with him again. I totally thought he bailed on me almost 2 years ago. I was pissed for awhile- when he use to call the folks, they'd hold me up to the screen to see him. I'd pretend I didn't know what was going on and ignore him. All is forgiven now, though and we are reunited just like the old Peaches & Herb song.

So, New Jersey- it's cool I guess. I can run around outside without a leash and not worry about cars so that's cool. My new favorite thing is chasing the neighborhood cats up the fence and the trees. Last week Ian woke me up from a nap and took me to a new park. It was perfect fall weather, I peed and sniffed a lot, and the squirrels- my god the squirrels! They were everywhere! I gave Ian the "Come on, please? What do you say?" look, but he just shook his head and laughed. Total drag, right? Yeah, I know. That's not the only time Mr. Buzzkill has spoiled my fun. Dig this- his uncle let me clean out the ice cream bowl after he was finished. Strawberry. I've never had it before and it was awesome! When Ian heard about it, he advised him not to do that because "supposedly" it gives me bad gas. Personally, I could care less. Doesn't bother me none. Again, total buzzkill but I love him anyway.

Also, his new bed is so amazing! Check it out

I know Ian usually posts these, so here are the books on his nightstand:

1) Imperial Bedrooms by Bret Easton Ellis

2) The Theory of Almost Everything by Robert Oerter

3) This Is Your Brain On Music by Daniel J. Levitin

and these are the jams he's been making me listen to

1) Bilal- Airtight's Revenge

2) Soars- Soars

3) Grinderman- 2

4) Scritti Politti- White Bread Black Beer

5) King Crimson- In the Court of the Crimson King (Reissue)

6) John Foxx & Robin Guthrie- Mirror Ball

7) John Lennon- Gimme Some Truth

Thailand etc

2010-05-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

Went to Thailand last month and returned to Japan only to find that my company went bankrupt and was bought out by another company. I've recently relocated to Osaka, as the school I was at sadly closed. New sounds, new faces, new experiences, new friends.

Planning to make the next move...whatever that may be.

Anyway, here are some pics.

Reading:

1) Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior by Ori & Rom Brafman

Listening:

1) Flying Lotus- Cosmogramma

2) Peter Ivers- Take It Out On Me

3) Various- Can You Dig It? Music & Politics of Black Action Films

4) LCD Soundsystem- This Is Happening

5) Dennis Wilson- Pacific Ocean Blue

6) Richard Skelton- Landings

7) Paul McCartney- Ram

8) Arto Lindsay- Mundo Civilizado

9) Various- Radio Thailand- Transmissions From the Tropical Kingdom

Record Store Day

2010-03-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday April 17 is Record Store Day 2010. Record Store Day was developed as a sort of call to arms for music nerds throughout the US to rally against the corporate bullies and attempt to hoist up the slowly sinking 'indie shops.' Trivial to some, but it crushes me each time I consider it. It's an amazing feeling to spend a few hours digging around a record shop not knowing what you'll encounter and walking out with a stack under your arm. I did it every week. The number of discoveries I have made over the years spent in the record shop is ridiculous!

Yes, we have Amazon, itunes, emusic, or whatever other online shop you fancy, but you lose that journey of exploring, learning, and socializing. Beyond that, indie shops foster creativity. These are the types of places where like minded folks gather, reach for the same Eno record, begin chatting, and eventually start a band. The other side of this is the market that the corporations are catering to currently. These are the people who buy one or two cd's a year. One of these discs is guaranteed to be by whoever won American Idol that year. It pains me to see music reduced to such a disposable product. What was once a means of creativity, thought, and expression is now being placed next to batteries on an impulse rack.

Obviously, this is all part of a much bigger picture. Without getting too heavy, it's a struggle to watch America become a logo. America TM. Every town with a significant population is being built to look exactly the same: Red Lobsters, Best Buys, Wal-Marts, CVS's, Staples, etc. The idea of small business owners working together to form a community is becoming an antiquated concept. This happened about 10 years ago with the independent pharmacies. I remember when my family's pharmacist was forced to shut down his business and go off to work for a CVS somewhere. For years his business had thrived and he was loved by all of his customers for his warmth, sincerity and individuality. Likewise, places like Main Street Jukebox, where I worked for almost a decade, Princeton Record Exchange, Vintage Vinyl all offer that same individuality and expertise that is not found in FYE, Best Buy, or Target. I think the music checkout in Wal-Mart is run by the same fellow who is selling guns and knives in the next department. The sad reality is that these indie shops will not be around forever. Still, we should give them a few more years, don't you think?

Listening:

1) Autechre- Oversteps

2) Erykah Badu- New Amerykah Parts 1 & 2

3) King Midas Sound- Waiting For You

4) Four Tet- There Is Love In You

5) Harry Nilsson- Nilsson Schmilsson

6) Andrew Weatherall- A Pox On the Pioneers

7) Ralph Towner- Solstice

8) Big Star- Third / Sister Lovers

9) Gil Scott-Heron- I'm New Here

10) Olivier Messiaen- Meditations Sur Le Mystere...

Thinking- March 2010

2010-03-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

Been doing a lot more reading as of late, which you can all deduce from the feeble amount of postings on here. Recent reading material has caused me to think. Thinking has caused me to think about how I think. Confused?

I've been reading a lot of essays about personality- ways of thinking and how and why decisions are made. Many nights have been spent on my red sofa thinking and writing about my own mental processes thus leading to some interesting revelations. At least to me. It seemed to explain a lot about my frustrations when it comes to writing. Quite an 'a-ha' moment for me.

What I've come to realize, is that I do not and cannot think linearly. Furthermore, I often do not speak linearly either, at least when engaged in free conversation. If linear thinking is like reading a novel from page to page, my way of thinking is more akin to a romp through Wikipedia. You stop at one entry, see a hyperlink that sparks your interest, click it, see another, click that, and so on. I cannot think in a straight line. It's all one big Venn diagram.

I'm reminded of my mother's concern over my 'organization' of things- mainly school related. However, even to this day when I attempt to compartmentalize I end up losing things. It doesn't work for me. I'm not saying it has to be all entropy and disorder, but a traditional 'organized' way doesn't particularly work for me.

My frustrations with writing stem from unconsciously trying to go against the tide and select only bits and pieces rather than just let everything wash ashore. Sort it out later. I guess I've forgotten about the purpose of the 'blog.' Chaos is alright.

Digging:

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

1) Autechre- Oversteps

2) Andrew Weatherall- A Pox on the Pioneers

3) Ralph Towner- Solstice

4) Gil Scott-Heron- I'm New Here

5) Massive Attack- Heligoland

6) Hall & Oates- War Babies

7) Gang Gang Dance- Saint Dymphna

8) Scorn- Stealth

9) XTC- Skylarking

10) XTC- Oranges & Lemons

January 25, 2010

2010-01-24T23:46:00.000-08:00

A belated thanks to all those who sent cards- it meant a lot to me to receive thoughts from back home! It was wonderful to hear that everyone is doing well.

Exactly one year has passed which completely blows my mind. It has been a success so far, yet I still feel that there is a bit more exploring to do. I can honestly say that 2009 was quite possibly the most peaceful year I have ever have- at least since I was a very young child. No pressure.

Some random thoughts= finally sat and watched Slumdog Millionaire for the first time- well-deserved praise, rediscovering the Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L'engle, thinking of taking a vacation- where to go? and a quick rant: I've absolutely no desire to hear another Michael Jackson tune ever again. I've always enjoyed the Jackson 5, Off the Wall, and Thriller, but the Japanese have officially killed it for me. STILL, anytime you walk into a store it's always MJ. In Hiroshima, there was even a shrine built to him. A tragedy, yes but enough already! I was not around when Lennon was shot but can distinctly remember the deaths of Kurt Cobain, Jeff Buckley, Freddie Mercury, Joe Strummer among others where there was a significant amount of coverage that eventually just kind of hovered in the atmosphere rather than being shoved in your face. Even the death of James Brown who paved the way for cats like MJ was a rather light affair compared to this. It was sad, but enough already. Once again the media manipulating the public (and their wallets). We'll save that for another time.

Anyway, thanks again for the New Year's wishes and glad everyone is doing well. Stay well

Words:

1) A Wind in the Door- Madeleine L'engle

2) "Into the Night Life"- Henry Miller

Sounds:

1) The Necks- Silverwater

2) Knifeworld- Buried Alone

3) Frank Zappa / Mothers of Invention- Burnt Weeny Sandwich

4) Prefab Sprout- Let's Change the World With Music

5) Black Sabbath- Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

6) Aphex Twin- Drukqs

7) Oren Ambarchi- In the Pendulum's Embrace

8) El Perro Del Mar- "Change of Heart" (possibly the greatest 'pop' song of the last few years)

9) Momus- Ping Pong

10) XTC- Black Sea

Best of 2009

2009-12-18T04:57:00.000-08:00

2009 proved to be another satisfying year musically. Lots of great new releases/reissues to catch up on. These are my favorite 12 releases of the year, in no particular order. I'll give a bit info but you should seek this stuff out yourself.

1) John Frusciante- The Empyrean- I've recently heard that he has left the Chili Peppers again. I have not liked a Chili Peppers record since the early 90's so I'm very happy to hear this as his solo stuff in always incredible. A lot of cool sounds on this and it has a really trippy mix. Johnny Marr is a nice bonus too.

2) Tim Hecker- An Imaginary Country- 2008 was a drone heavy year for me. After moving to Japan, however, I no longer had a stereo to listen to it properly- so I tried to stay away from a lot of it. I caved a few months in and listened to this constantly for several months. "Borderlands" is hands down my favorite single track of the year. Yet another example of how beautiful so-called 'noise' can be.

3) Bee Gees- Odessa (reissue)- I love the early Bee Gees. I had trouble with this one a few years ago, but this has some of the best and weirdest stuff they ever did. Plus, it comes in a red-flocked box just like the original vinyl. There's an "alternate" album included that deletes a lot of the heavy-handed orchestration revealing some really killer mellotron work. Several of these are superior to the finished versions. These guys were the original Animal Collective.

4) Dragon Turtle- Almanac- To me, La Societe Expeditionnaire stands with other classic labels as Factory, 4AD, and Creation. I hate trying to make lazy comparisons to what bands sound like and I think they describe themselves better than I can: ambient-winter-calypso-space-folk. Buy it- it's great and you will be feeding some good friends of mine. http://www.la-soc.com/

5) Leyland Kirby- Sadly, the Future Is Not What It Once Was- One to listen to in the dark, for sure. I imagine this is what big budget movie soundtracks might sound like if they didn't use the same predictable John Williams or Hans Zimmer score. Beautiful waves of minimal sound. This actually may be my favorite release of the year.

6) Sunn 0)))- Monoliths & Dimensions- The almighty Sunn 0))). Possibly the biggest leap yet. Parts of this album are actually really beautiful and melodic. They even got Julian Priester from Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi band to play! Always uncompromising, always compelling. I shouldn't have to say this- Maximum Volume Yields Maximum Results!

7) Neil Young- Archives Vol 1 (DVD)- I would've loved the Blue-Ray version, but have no way of playing it so I settled for the DVD. I've heard a lot of bitching about this, but I think this sets a new standard for what box sets should be. The packaging is a bit annoying, but there's some great stuff on here. The sound is really impressive- I heard things on "After the Gold Rush" that I've never heard before. There's also cool video footage of Neil making "Harvest" in his barn, and a really amusing video of Neil finding a CSNY bootleg in a record store, getting pissed off at the clerk, and taking the bootleg without paying for it.

8) Mew- No More Stories...- This is what 'pop' should sound like to me. Bands that can take straightforward hooks and make them sound unpredictable and weird always interest me.

9) Susanna & the Magical Orchestra- 3- From Norway and produced by Deathprod, another favorite. For fans of Kate Bush, the Cocteau Twins, and the like. Plus, they do a cover of "Subdivisions" by a certain Canadian band.

10) Jim O'Rourke- The Visitor- He may be a cranky dude, but he still makes incredible records. A single 38 minute instrumental track with guitars, pianos, horns, strings, and typical O'Rourke-fare. No ugly man-child on the cover, though.

11) Akatombo- Unconfirmed Reports- Supposedly this guy's originally from Scotland and lives in Hiroshima somewhere. Provides some nice sub speaker abuse. Reminds me of a lot of old ambient dub, especially Mick Harris' Scorn project. It comes with a DVD of videos he shot in Hiroshima which are pretty cool. It's limited to 500 copies, but I'm pretty sure you can still find one at this point.

12) St Vincent- Actor- Another artist making really interesting pop music. It reminds me of early Peter Gabriel or a noisier Kate Bush. I also read somewhere that she was listening a lot to "Scary Monsters" which is my favorite Bowie album. Good stuff.

Hiroshima

2009-12-12T19:46:00.000-08:00

"Nuclear war, it's a motherf#@*er"- Sun Ra

2009-12-07T06:01:00.000-08:00

Long time. Sorry- just quite busy over the last 2 months adjusting to some new changes. Also suffering from a severe case of writer's block.

Went to Hiroshima last weekend. Wow- what a powerful place! Checked out the A-Bomb dome and moved over to the memorial museum. I wasn't quite emotionally prepared for it. Some really shocking stuff in there. Brutally detailed pictures of badly burned victims, images of black rain, and a glass case containing the skin and fingernails from the hand of a 12 year old boy. Learned some new interesting facts, but mostly wandered around the city spacing out about how quickly it can all end.

Pictures to be up later this week.

All throughout the day, that Sigur Ros video kept running through my head all day-

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7586880205583288243&ei=sA0dS-P5LoXIwgPUsdHIDA&q=sigur+ros+track+1&hl=en&client=safari#

Glad to talk to everyone on Thanksgiving- looked like everyone had a great day. Can't believe it has been almost a year since I've been gone. Looking forward to a break for New Year's. Also excited to learn the new Jim Jarmusch movie is playing down the street from me next month. Talk soon

-ian

Words

1) Black Spring (particularly 'The Angel Is My Watermark" by Henry Miller

Jamz

1) Dragon Turtle- Almanac

2) Leyland Kirby- Sadly the Future Is Not What It Once Was

3) Akatombo- Unconfirmed Reports

4) Pan Sonic- Aaltopiiri

5) Jim O'Rourke- The Visitor

6) Edward Williams- Life On Earth Soundtrack

7) The Slits- Cut

8) Art Ensemble of Chicago- Les Stances A Sophie

9) La Dusseldorf- Viva

10) Funkadelic- Cosmic Slop

11) Liars- Drum's Not Dead

Monday October, 19 2009

2009-10-18T23:28:00.000-07:00

New surroundings and a new schedule to shake up the brain a bit. I moved into a new apartment right in the main part of the city which is a much more comfortable abode than the last. The last one was not unlike a hotel room. I've also taken on a much busier schedule which has forced me to focus a bit harder. Well, maybe not harder but differently. I've been obsessed with focusing and the general functions of the brain in general. Every morning I play logic and strategy games on the computer and I have been reading a lot about how we think and how certain synapses are triggered.

I've also finally caught up with "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia." I love it! Watching it has inspired me to pull out some half ideas I had several years ago that were intended for a comedy sketch show that obviously never materialized. Two of my friends back home are helping me out with some ideas which I will disclose a bit later but I'm very excited about what's been put down in ink right now. More to come...

Currently Reading-

1) Freakonomics by Steven D Levitt & Stephen J Dubner

2) Think Smart- A Neuroscientist's Prescription for Improving Your Brain's Performance

Currently Listening-

1) Jim O'Rourke- The Visitor

2) The Flaming Lips- Embryonic

3) Elton John- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

4) Bjork- Homogenic

5) Autechre- Chiastic Slide

6) Thom Yorke- FeelingPulledApartByHorses (single)

7) Dragon Turtle / Goodnight Stars Goodnight Air- Split

8) Brian Eno- Music For Films

9) Donna Summer- "Working the Midnight Shift"

10) Ricky Nelson- "Fools Rush In"

11) Joan Baez- "Sweet Sir Galahad"

Saturday September 12

2009-09-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

Some serious decisions need to be made during the week and am still trying to work out what I am going to do. Will I stay? How much longer? Yet it made me realize how much I've changed over the last 10 years. 10 years ago it was decisions like this that had me downing endless bottles of Pepto Bismol because I'd be thinking of the idea that I needed to be somewhere in X amount of time. The classic idea that you need to go to college, get a job, have a family, etc. I've graduated from college and have the degree in teaching but I'd be lying if I said that my head was 100% into it. It's something I'm going to try, but right now it's an option rather than a definite career path. I'm 28 years old and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up but I am finally comfortable with that.

I'm not sure if there is a such thing as an "ideal" situation or not for me, but that is irrelevant. It's the process of looking for the ideal that keeps me going I can honestly say that I've learned more about myself and the people around me in the last 2 years than I have throughout my entire academic career. That's not to say that I didn't learn anything in school. However, school is a cushion and many students, including myself, have used it as such. It's safe to say, "I'm just going to keep taking classes until I figure out what I want to do." I've never met one person who has actually figured it out that way. It's a bubble and it's not until you actually push yourself out of it that the real lessons start. To be honest, the thought of working doing the same thing for 30 years scares the hell out of me. I've never had that kind of attention span. Right now it's about exploring as many options as I can and taking different paths along the way not knowing where I will end up. That's what keeps me going. Maybe that's not the ideal way to look at it but it's what's keeping me happy at the moment, and more importantly what's keeping me sane. I'm not planning on starting a family anytime soon- it's all about exploring right now. Whatever happens it will work out in the end. It always has and I finally have faith in that.

Also, there has been some incredible records helping me out along the way. Anyone who lays the old chestnut, "Nobody makes good records anymore" on you is completely full of it. There's too many!

1) Mew- No More Stories...

2) Susanna & the Magical Orchestra- 3

3) Deathprod- Morals & Dogma

4) Hawkwind- P.X.R.5

5) Hawklords- 25 Years On

6) Prefab Sprout- Steve McQueen

7) No-Man- Together We're Stranger

8) Sweet Billy Pilgrim- Twice Born Men

9) Neil Young- Archives Vol I (DVD)

10) American Music Club- Love Songs For Patriots

Mount Fuji

2009-08-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

Did the main thing I wanted to do here in Japan over the weekend- climb Mount Fuji. Easily one of the most inspirational things I have ever done! Something really needs to be said about the spirit and drive of the Japanese people. In the morning when I was coming down off the mountain, I passed a few senior citizens who couldn't have been younger than 70 years old with their backs hunched over climbing the mountain. There were also many young kids too- not sure if they made it to the top but their spirit was quite moving.

As for the trip itself, I started around the 5th station (maybe 6 or 7,000. In total, Mt Fuji is about 12,388 ft) at about 9:45pm and reached the top a little after 4:00am. Along the way there are several rest points spaced out in 45-60 min intervals. The weather became increasingly cooler at each station, however, it was not as cold as I had anticipated. It did not bother me until dawn when I was standing still waiting for the sunrise. I think the temperature was probably about 15 degrees Fahrenheit at the very top.

Descending the mountain was the most difficult part. I stood completely mesmerized by the sunrise for about 25 minutes, drank a small bottle of umeshu (Japanese liquor made from "ume" fruits) and made my way down the mountain. By that point, I knew I had seen all I really wanted to see and really just wanted to go to sleep by that point- but I had a 3 hour hike to get off the mountain. Because it is so steep and gravelly you are constantly slipping all over the place occasionally pausing to remove gravel from your shoes. Still, an unbelievable experience that reconfirms how miraculous and astounding our everyday surroundings really are. I cannot describe it, so just check out the pictures.

Tuesday 8/11/09

2009-08-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

Went to see some incredible art last weekend. Quite possibly the greatest museum I have visited- at least it made me think more than any other. There is a small island called, Naoshima, right below Okayama. The island's main attraction is its contemporary art museums and art houses. The Chichu Art Museum is possibly the greatest museum I've yet experienced. The museum is actually housed in the side of a mountain (which I believe Chichu means "underground"). The museum only depends on natural light from the outside to illuminate the works. As a result, the works will appear differently depending on the weather or time of day.
The museum forces you to consider the natural art that we experience every day. Absolutely brilliant.

The island also features many "art houses" which are small houses that house these really great exhibits. "A Sea of Time" features small multicolored LED lights underwater in a darkened room. Unfortunately the museums do not allow cameras inside so I could not get any pictures, but steer around this link: http://www.naoshima-is.co.jp/

I've been busy- I am trying to write more, however, it will be in more of a fragmented blog style-random thoughts here and there.

Currently Reading-

1) Idoru- William Gibson

2) Shakey- Neil Young Biography- Jimmy McDonough

Currently Listening-

1) Neil Young- Archives Vol I (DVD)

2) Neil Young & Crazy Horse- Zuma

3) Food- Veggie

4) Adam Franklin- Spent Bullets

5) Taraf De Haidouks- Band of Gypsies

6) Huntsville- Eco, Arches, & Eras

Rainy Season

2009-07-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

Well, it hasn't rained every day but the threat of rain often screws my plans. It's a weird feeling living in a foreign country and realizing that you have a routine. It's easy to get caught up in. It's also time to make some new friends. Many of the people who I have met over here are finishing up their time and shipping out. I've been searching for 'my crowd.' I found this really cool cafe/bar type thing where the back wall is lined with CD's and LP's- my kind of place. The joy of solitude is beginning to wane so onto more adventures!

Has the MJ news finally died down yet? Finding it interesting how we've slammed him for the last 20 years, but now all of a sudden we are deeply saddened by his death. At any rate, 'Off the Wall' and 'Thriller' are still milestones in the pop culture fabric.

Currently Reading-
1) Idoru by William Gibson

Currently Listening-

1) Tinariwen- Aman Iman
2) Wilco- The Album
3) Bernard Herrmann- Taxi Driver sdtk
4) The Band- Rock Of Ages
5) Sunn 0)))- Monoliths & Dimensions
6) Vangelis- Blade Runner
7) Jean Claude Vannier- L'Enfant Assassin Des Mouches
8) Melvins- Bullhead
9) Lindstrom / Prins Thomas- II
10) Faith No More- King For A Day

Monday 16, 2009

2009-06-15T00:53:00.000-07:00

Well, unlike many of the Japanese I do not have a stomach made of iron. I went against my better judgement and had some raw chicken yakitori-you know, be open and try new things. Let's just say that it tasted much better the first time! Feeling 100% recovered now. It's beginning to get hot and humid and I have been on cockroach patrol. I am sending some very clear messages out that we will not be roommates.

In other news, I am in the process of putting together a radio show for Stroudsburg's own PIBCO internet radio station www.pibco1.com. I did a brief clip for my friend Dave's show, but would like to do something on a larger scale. If things do not come together, I may be posting some files here to download. Just some of me babbling and playing a lot of the music I am currently excited about. Stay tuned for details

Nara 5/31/09

2009-06-03T06:39:00.001-07:00

2009-05-29T05:58:00.001-07:00

Again- I am going to continue to write, it will just be less talking about my surroundings. Don't stop reading!

May 29, 2009

2009-05-29T05:25:00.000-07:00

May 29, 2009 9:25pm

Hello all-

I apologize for the lack of new entries over the last month. It has been a rather busy month here at work and I have not been compelled to write in a while. Part of this may stem from the realization that Okayama has become home to me- at least for the time being. The shock of living somewhere new and foreign has slowly slipped away as I have developed routines that are standard throughout the 5-day work week. Therefore, it's a bit difficult to write about. Imagine writing about your hometown once a week- eventually you would run out of things to say.

However, this is not an end to the blog. I am glad that so many of you are reading this and I encourage you to keep checking in once in awhile. Feel free to leave comments- it's always nice to hear from people back home. I imagine that much of the blog will be a stream of conscious collection of thoughts and feelings. Of course, every time I visit someplace new, I still plan on sharing those experiences. During this month, travel opportunities have dwindled but things should pick up in June. Hang in there!
-ian

Currently Reading
1) The Road by Cormac McCarthy
2) Idoru by William Gibson

Currently Listening
1) Sunn 0))- Monoliths & Dimensions
2) Keith Jarrett- Rarum
3) WIlliam Basinski- 92982
4) St Vincent- Actor
5) Funkadelic- Funkadelic
6) Lennon/Ono- Double Fantasy
7) Steve Reich- Phases
8) Linda Perhacs- Parallelograms
9) The Necks- Chemist
10) Stevie Wonder- Talking Book

Some pictures from Shikoku

2009-05-10T04:19:00.000-07:00

A Sad Day

2009-05-08T05:12:00.001-07:00

I am extremely saddened to hear the news that a friend of mine passed away a few days ago. It's a bit difficult for me to swallow right now being so far from home. I think this is the first time that I have really felt homesick, because I would really love to be with my friends at such a devastating time. Lynsi was a close friend for nearly 10 years. She is the sister of one of my dearest friends and was married to another one of my best friends for a time. Those who knew her were aware that she struggled with certain issues, which unfortunately became to big for her to handle. It was incredibly painful to think that she did not always see herself as the incredibly beautiful, talented, funny, caring and all around warm person that she was. She valued others more than she valued herself, which often contributed to her struggle.

Many of my absolute favorite memories of the last 10 years include Lynsi. The slide show in my head is making this painfully difficult to write. All I can say is that wherever she is, I just hope that she found her peace. Amber, Thom, and everyone else who was close to her- I really wish that I could be with you right now. Know that I am thinking of you. Be strong- and Lynsi, you will be forever missed!
Love,
Ian

Wednesday May 6, 2009

2009-05-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

Just got back from vacation. I traveled up into the mountains near Tokushima. Being there reminded me of home- I haven't heard birds sing in a really long time! There was some extraordinary hiking there and the view was indescribable. We stayed at this really amazing place called Chiihori with a lot of great history. To give you an idea of how high we were in the mountains, supposedly during the Edo periods the Emperor used to hide up in these mountains where nobody could find him.

Anyway, it was a great weekend filled with hiking, drinking, eating, singing, and I also went to an Onsen (public bathing house) for the first time which was quite relaxing. We met this really great couple from Amsterdam who were also staying as well as an Englishman who owns a sourcing agency in Delhi, where he lives. Pictures will be up soon. Sorry it has been awhile- the pace will pick up soon.

Currently Reading-
1) Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk
2) The Road- Cormac McCarthy

Currently Listening
1) Jack Nitzsche- Three Piece Suite
2) Jim O'Rourke- I'm Happy and I'm Singing and a 1,2,3,4
3) Curtis Mayfield- There's No Place Like America Today
4) Tim Hecker- An Imaginary Country
5) Ry Cooder- Paris, Texas
6) Deerhunter- Microcastle / Weird Era Cont.
7) Wipers- Box Set
8) William Basinski- 92982
9) St Vincent- Actor
10) Gas- Nah Und Fern

Thursday 4/16/09

2009-04-16T05:34:00.000-07:00

It's an odd thing- the more I settle in here the more surreal it sometimes seems. I guess after a few months you automatically begin observing and analyzing things and people from an alternate standpoint. Everywhere I go there seems to be odd situations and characters that I cannot quite pin down and explain- at least not in a blog form. Not unlike a David Lynch movie sometimes. Not so much the dark side of his films but in the way that you often have to play connect the dots with your own imaginations to make sense of characters and situations. That's kind of what I'm working with here, only I'm one of the characters at the same time.

Another interesting feature that I've become fascinated with are girls t-shirts. These shirts seem to be leading an unintentional dada movement- people like Tristan Tzara and Hugo Ball would be proud. They are the most random English phrases plastered across the front of t-shirt. Most do not make any literal sense at all- as if a cut-up technique was used. However, I think it is just a misunderstanding of the language. It reminds me of when everyone thought it was cool to get Japanese or Chinese lettering as tattoos. I wonder how absurd those look to the Japanese or Chinese. I'm going to begin to compile a list of some of these phrases so you can get a better idea of what I am talking about. Should be more pictures on the way as well. Rock on-
ian

Currently Reading-
1) Dinner With Mugabe- Heidi Holland
2) Lynch On Lynch- David Lynch / Chris Rodley ed.

Currently Listening
1) Lewis & Clarke- Light Time EP
2) Tim Hecker- An Imaginary Country
3) KTL- IV
4) Tom Waits- Swordfishtrombones
5) Wipers- Box Set
6) Nocturnal Emissions- Drowning In A Sea of Bliss
7) Fela Kuti- Zombie
8) Durutti Column- Vini Reilly
9) Trees- On The Shore
10) Bee Gees- Odessa

Monday April 6, 2009

2009-04-06T05:59:00.000-07:00

Monday April 6, 10:00pm-

Last week I went to my first Japanese Tea Ceremony. I really do not know too much about them, but was invited by one of my students to go along. Being such an unknown experience for me and knowing the Japanese way of doing things in such a precise manner, I was quite nervous going into it.

It really is an art form. Every movement and every word is rehearsed and perfected beforehand. It is not unlike watching a ballet or a theater group. Those who host tea ceremonies have years of practice and study under their belts. Some of these bowls that they used are worth an obscene amount of money. Before going into the tea room I was told how expensive they were and didn't even want to touch them. Since I went with a few people who were familiar with the ceremony, I was able to parrot what they were saying and doing. I don't think I looked too terribly awkward. Still rather fascinating.

Cherry Blossoms at Korakuen

2009-04-04T07:36:00.000-07:00

These were taken last weekend @ Korakuen Garden.

Kibitsu Jinja

2009-04-04T07:32:00.000-07:00

Some pictures taken at the Kibitsu Jinja site. Enjoy

Language Slip

2009-03-22T01:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday 3/23/08- 6:00 pm

Rainy Days tend to get the better of me by giving me the opportunity to overanalyze and over think. Today is no exception. Over the last week or so I've developed a fear of decreased vocabulary. Much of my days are spent talking in bite-sized chunks that are easily digested by those who do not understand English well but somehow make me feel as though I am losing touch with my own language. Obviously, this is part of the job and I do really love talking with students. However, I have this fear of vocabulary slipping away or being stuffed into the attic of my brain to collect dust. I need language as much as I need music. Along with the meditation, I've realized that I NEED to read and write everyday. Something that I've always enjoyed doing, but it is as necessary as eating or drinking at this point.

It is a constant learning process trying to figure out how to best subsist in everyday life. It's a puzzle that I've come to actually come to really enjoy as perverse as that may sound. I've realized long ago that I don't particularly fit in anywhere and don't really want to. At the same time, I have no time for people who purposely aim to fit into a certain niche. Where and whenever I am happy, I know that's a place where I belong. If I'm not happy, I know I have to get out of there. It's a lesson I taught myself years ago. Since I was a kid, many people who have such a highly competitive nature have always annoyed me due to the ugliness and level of self-absorption it tends to bring out of them. I've often been criticized for not being competitive enough, but because I was so turned off by all the absurdity of many of these people I went to school with, I refused to act in such a way. This is around the time that I stopped faking any enjoyment out of playing most sports. I hated playing sports then and still do to this day (Hoccer excluded).

Obviously, no offense is meant here. I have a lot of great friends and family who love sports and are wonderful people without any of the ugliness I mentioned earlier- and I do enjoy the occasional game on TV.

Not sure how the topic of language turned into a rant of sorts. I'm actually quite happy and content today, just thinking too much. xoxoian

March 21, 2009

2009-03-20T03:55:00.000-07:00

Friday March 21, 2009-

Some pictures from where I live. There will be some more stuff shortly.

March 17, 2009

2009-03-17T06:52:00.000-07:00

March 17, 2009- 10:50 pm

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I hope everyone is having fun. Oddly enough I was able to get hold of some cabbage- no corned beef though. One of my students grows her own vegetables and brought me a head of cabbage and a container of cooked cabbage and a container of cooked cabbage and many other veggies. Finally getting warm here- I've decided I'm done with a winter coat anyway.

Ok, so pictures will be taken this weekend and probably posted next week- I promise! I'm taking the train back into Kurashiki, a really beautiful town with some cool picture opportunities- so stay tuned.

Other than that- happy it's spring, I can't learn to speak Japanese quick enough, starting to develop some future traveling plans which I'll disclose later- don't want to jinx it. Stay well
xoxoIan

Currently Reading- Dinner With Mugabe by Heidi Holland

Currently Listening-
1) Mellow Candle- Swaddling Songs
2) Scott Walker- The Drift
3) Bee Gees- Odessa
4) Killing Joke- NIght Time
5) Burial- Untrue
6) Kinks- Percy soundtrack
7) Bridget St John- Songs For the Gentle Man
8) Depeche Mode- Black Celebration
9) Fennesz- Black Sea
10) New Kingdom- Paradise Don't Come Cheap

February 3, 2009

2009-03-02T05:12:00.000-08:00

Monday February 3, 2009 10:13pm-

Hello Friends-

I have been battling a cold for the last week or so. Although Japan is a typically clean city, I do work with a lot of children and many of them are nose pickers. I usually try to keep some hand sanitizer handy, but usually leave it at home. Since I am not really taking any medicine, I am just trying to stay mentally healthy which seems to be working out just fine. Before I left I started doing daily mental focus drills and meditation techniques. I started this routine due to my difficulties in filtering out distractions when necessary. However, this has yielded so many positive results. For 30 min a day, I will sit and focus on one specific sound. I don't stop my thoughts and worries, but rather just let them float away at their own accord. The idea is to allow the brain to not be distracted by any thoughts or worries that will occur and to maintain focus on that specific sound. This allows me to be always be in control of any thoughts or problems that occur and not the other way around, which often happened for me. I can continue to be the anchor. The amazing thing is that since I've started these "exercises" I have not had any of the headaches and stomach pains that used to occur so frequently. Throughout the last month I have only had one headache and that was only because I was came down with a cold.

I do apologize for not posting pictures up yet, but they will be here shortly (in some form). I have to admit that I do not really like taking pictures in new places, or at least I have a difficult time taking them. When I am experiencing someplace new for the first time, it feels unnatural for me to interrupt the experience and pull out a camera and snap a photo. To be honest, I just don't think about it at the time. Some people are able to balance that out, but I have a difficult time doing so. It kind of ruins the experience for me. However, now that I have been here for awhile I can start to move past that and start to try and capture something for everyone to see back home. I know many of you have been patiently awaiting some sort of vision of where I am. I have some ideas of what I want you all to see. Hope everyone is doing well back home. I've heard that you all might be in the midst of a nasty snowstorm. I feel for you and am relieved that I am not there! Beyond that, I do miss everyone back home. I have an idea of who is reading this, but am obviously not aware of everyone. That being said if you are reading this, than I am sure you are someone that I miss and am thinking about.
-ian

February 22, 2009

2009-02-22T01:51:00.000-08:00

Saturday February 22, 2009- 6:53pm

I've just realized that I have been here for over a month! I seem to be adjusting at most levels, which is comforting. Since I've already been here for 4 weeks, it is automatically beginning to feel like home to me. On the other hand, it can still be a bit bizarre. There are certain days where I go a whole day without having a conversation with another person save from "Konichiwa" or "Arigato Gozaimasu." Not necessarily a bad thing, just bizarre. But, I guess that is part of what I was after to a point. I do find a sort of comfort being unknown and all by myself here. I needed it for awhile. I've always been able to find a romantic quality in loneliness. I think people need a dose of it once in awhile (well I do at least). PLEASE do not get the impression that I am locking myself away in my apartment and not involving myself in the community, I am. But, a good bit of the time I am out and about by myself. I love that, but I can imagine that people who have a difficult time being by themselves for long periods of time would struggle greatly with such an experience.

I traveled to Osaka last Saturday for a night out. A few of us ended up in a very crowded club at about 2am and I caught the 530am train back to Okayama. Great time! It was amusing shuffling past businessmen in suits who were taking their escorts back to wherever as I made my way to the train station. There's a very eclectic group of people out at that hour, and the city is still in full force at that time!

Last night I traveled to Saidaiji for the Hadaka Matsuri festival, or the "Naked Men" festival. Who wouldn't want to go to that! Basically, thousands of men where nothing but a skimpy loincloth and socks and fight to touch a pair of wooden sticks that are thrown into the crowd of men. If you are able to grab hold of the sticks you will be blessed with good fortune. It looks just about as surreal as it sounds! I couldn't understand the socks though, especially since it was rainy. That would be the worst part for me, I hate wet socks. Do yourselves a favor and type it into google or youtube- there are many pictures and videos to give you a better idea of it. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me.

On the way back home I met this really cool French couple on the train who ended up coming out to the bar with my friends and I. This guy was a sound engineer who tours with an orchestra. He and I realized that we both had a love for old reggae and dub music, so we talked about that for awhile. This weekend is supposed to be rainy, so I think I am going to catch up on some reading, writing, and cleaning. Keep checking in I miss you all!
-Love Ian

Currently Reading:
1 The Myth of Sysyphus- Albert Camus
2 East Window- W.S. Merwin

Currently Listening
1) John Frusciante- The Empyrean
2) David Lynch- Inland Empire Soundtrack
3) Squarepusher- Numbers Lucent EP
4) Lou Reed- Berlin
5) Todd Rundgren- Initiation
6) John Foxx- Metamatic
7) Manuel Gottsching- E2-E4
8) Fennesz- Black Sea
9) Phil Spector- Back to Mono
10) Jacaszek- Treny

February 10, 2009

2009-02-10T05:01:00.000-08:00

Tuesday February 10, 2009- 10:02pm

Okayama, Japan- Thank you everyone for all of the kind comments! I apologize if I don't respond to everyone quick enough, but it is always comforting to hear from people I care about back home! Anyway, after being here for a few weeks, I was able to take a train a few stops a way into the country side- the town of Bizen. Are any of you familiar with Bizen pottery? Look it up on google, it is rather fascinating. A few of us took a train into Bizen and booked time at a pottery barn to make our own pottery. I made these two tile like plates that can probably be hung from the wall. Honestly, I don't really know what I am going to do with them, but it was a lot of fun to make. The rest of the town had these absolutely beautiful homes that were all decked out with pottery statues, etc all made right in the town. We also had this amazing lunch in this gallery that was also a home to a husband and wife and we were able to eat 6 bowls of rice for 300 yen (around $3.00).

The next day was a bit more stressful, but it all worked out. Monday was the first day I attempted to use my ATM book. Well, I accidentally punched the wrong code into the machine and it automatically locked my account. The people there were extremely kind and were trying to help me, but could not speak English very well and I could not speak Japanese yet very well. Luckily, there was a sweet office worker who overheard my dilemma and offered to drive me to the main post office where they could help me. She was on her way back to her own office and it was on the way. I was so relieved and surprised how much she wanted to help me. Everything was straightened out eventually, but I was not able to take pictures at Korakuen Garden where I originally wanted to go. It is a holiday tomorrow, so I plan on heading over there tomorrow.

More to come soon- thanks again for reading

-Ian

February 6, 2009

2009-02-06T06:42:00.000-08:00

Friday February 6, 2009 11:42pm

Okayama, Japan- I finally have internet hooked up in my apartment now. I am slowly settling in now, yet it still hasn't quite set in that I live in Japan. Being busy with work during the week has a lot to do with it, but still I thought it would be a huge shock to the system. Maybe it just hasn't come yet. It has been a bit tough. The main thing I have been dealing with is not being able to go out for coffee whenever I need it. Mister Donuts, however, does offer bottomless cups of coffee, so I usually go there for a bit on my days off.

Last weekend, I went out with this guy Tom who I work with who is from Sheffield, England. He was meeting one of his friends from America at this place called the Aussie Bar. Man, it was sad place. The bar was basically filled with foreigners who have been here for awhile and hate it here. Not one of them could speak a word of Japanese, not one of them cared that they couldn't. I had planned on studying Japanese while I live here anyway, but this place motivated me even more. It really bothered me. Why did they come here anyway?

The teaching is going well. I absolutely love teaching the higher level courses. Very interesting and everyone has a great time. The kids classes, however, I'm not sure how I feel about those yet. That's completely new to me. I teach one class of two 4 year olds and have to sing songs, dance around, and basically act like a kids TV show host and thankfully nobody besides them sees me do it. Again, pictures should be up soon. Also, I'm sure that everyone has specific questions that they would like me to answer. There is so much to write about in great detail and is very difficult for me to try and put down in a 'blog entry', so feel free to leave questions in the comments and I will try to answer them for you. Talk to you soon
-ian

January 25

2009-02-06T05:21:00.000-08:00

Sunday January 25, 2009
5:50pm
Okayama, Japan- Friday night I moved into my actual apartment. It is small, but very comfortable and well kept. It’s not unlike a small hotel room. I work at 2 different locations during the week, so I have a bike that I can ride to work and around town. I worked with a really cool guy named, Dave, who has been sub teaching my classes for the last 2 months. Yesterday I observed all day as he taught and began thinking about planning my own lessons. I do feel more confident about everything now (not that I was doubting myself before). I also met the rest of the staff at the school who are all extremely nice. After work last night they all took me out to this amazing Izakaya restaurant. We all ordered and shared a load of food (soba, gyoza, deep fried bananas, amongst so many others) and drinks and everything that I ate was absolutely incredible. Afterwards we ended up at this really hip bar down the block. It reminded me of an old basement with a huge screen that was showing really old black and white Miles Davis footage. After that, a few of us ended up at this gallery that hosts monthly parties with a dj and film projections and we didn’t leave there until, uh, 6am. It’s been fun so far.
Oh, by the way- perhaps the most shocking discovery is the presence of Mister Donuts over here! Remember them? I haven’t seen one in about 15 years or whenever the one in Stroudsburg turned into a Dunkin Donuts.
There will be pictures up sometime soon, hopefully by the time you all read this. I don’t know when that will be because I still need to figure out an Internet account, which is apparently going to be a bit difficult due to the language barrier. English is very minimal over here and I still have an extremely low Japanese vocabulary. Talk soon
-love ian

January 21 2009

2009-02-06T05:14:00.001-08:00

Wednesday January 21, 2009
6:02pm
Osaka, Japan- So I am finally in Japan! I’m just beginning to deal with the realization that I am in fact here. It is a bit scary to be honest, but also overwhelmingly exciting. I’m a bit uncomfortable at the moment- I’m absolutely freezing and I am feeling rather nauseous. I’m temporarily staying in this tiny room apartment for the duration of my training and it just does not want to warm up. I have the heat turned all the way up (at least I think, I’m not yet able to read Japanese). At the very least, I have 3 blankets to sleep with.
I’ve bought some noodles and juice to get me through the next 2 days of training. The flight wasn’t too difficult and I managed to sleep quite a bit on the Chicago-Seoul route. I still feel exhausted tonight though I did doze off for about 45 minutes around 4:30pm. I think I’m going to review a few details for tomorrow, have a bowl of noodles and go to sleep around 8-8:30. Hopefully it won’t be as dreadfully cold when I awake. Talk to you all soon!
-ian

January 21 2009

2009-02-06T05:14:00.000-08:00