Kokochi

Singapore

Transcription by Stef:
Leaving in a hour to go to Singapore for a short biz trip. Going to present TokyoTitbits.com and Kokochi.com. It's going to be HOT and HUMID but I like that!

I'm gonna miss Dav & my cats though.

Robot Sapiens

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We got 2 new office members. They dance, walk, and pick things up. And they are way smaller than me!

We were playing around with them until we had to go to a meeting. When we picked them up by their hands to take them with us, they yelped 'ouch' all the way down the hallway. And after they gave us another dance performance on the conference room table, and were ignored by us when the meeting began, they streched their arms up and loudly yawned. Then they snored a bit before finally settling down.

Now if I could only train them to do filing for me...

we're going to the SF Opera!

Update: We actually went last night but my phone refused to send the pictures until this morning. Sigh. I'm adding in a picture and video from inside of the opera house . I didn't want to distract anyone so this is all I got. The production was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. Very dramatic!

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Japanese Toy Store!!

After visiting Diane, Rachel and I headed to another studio showcasing jewelry. I fell in love with a magical metal choker type necklace. I tried it on and it felt warm and comforting around my neck. I bought it and haven't taken it off since.

But next door was Kimono My House, a hidden roof-top space full of Japanes anime related toys. Oh, it was so-much-fun! Rachel found a very cute Kiki's Delivery Service (Majo no Takkyuubin) apron/dress. I can't wait for her to wear it as an outfit!

beautiful calligraphy

My mother met Diane (shown in picture with me) in Japan at a traditional calligraphy class. I love my mom's work and when Diane said she was having a show in Berkeley to show her work, I was excited to go. I went with Rachel. Sure enough, Diane's work is beautiful. I miss seeing Japanese characters. I really liked the one shown in the 4th picture: it's "haha" which means mother. Bold yet graceful. She also does watercolor paintings of the most heart-warming scenes of Tokyo neighborhood life.

1 mushroom

I have various plants that I water in the morning, such as this bunch (see Wakame perched on her favorite spot behind?). Well, this morning I found one lone shroom hidden underneath. Wonder if it is edible. I'll keep it there since I'm curious to see how big it will get. Also, here's a bonus close-up of Katsuo that I took while typing on this phone and he sat right next to me. Now he's asleep and gently snoring. Me? I gotta get to work!

Anil is Ultramarine

Especially when working late at night/morning at the office. But he should get recognized for it.

Marcus and his home

Transcription by Anonymous:
At Dav's brother, Marcus's place. A BBQ in the backyard. He's a punk rocker and poster designer. He once drew an awesome pic using this very digital pen (I'll link later). His house is the Martha Stewart of punk rockers. Awesome deco with attention to detail. Seriously, this place should be showcased!

p.s. I just thought I should add that the pic with the mound of white stuff and big gun is actually powered sugar and a toy. Didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea, if you know what I mean. It was displayed as sort of a art installation for decor.

I just discovered psychedelic rock

My housemate mentioned he was going to see a Japanese psychedelic rock band at Bottom of the Hill last night. I'd never heard of that genre, but my interest was perked, so Dav and I joined them for the Acid Mothers Temple show.

It was like when I heard Reggae for the first time. I hadn't known what it was, but it instantly made sense to me.

I was mesmerrized by the Acid Mothers Temple. They would start a song so gently with an addictive toe-tapping beat. And I'd relax and allow myself to get sucked in. Then ever so gradually, they would increase the volume, add an extra chord, and eventually get to the point where I realized it was way too loud. But by then my brain was already tangled in the grip of the music. I felt my hands and legs matching the base beat, but inside my head, the psychedelic dream noises were taking me farther away. I even felt as if my body and head were pulling apart...each following different aspects of the music. And if I really let myself go - ie. stopped worrying how I was going to go deaf and allowed each note painfully hit my eardrum - then I could almost feel the music massage my brain.

I'm sure this sounds all wild. But I'm just trying to explain what the music felt like. I was blown away.

I guess I'm moving on from Reggae to psychedelic rock. I want more!

modan dansu

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Transcription by Dav:
I love modern dance. We're at "through, middle, air" by the Taproot dance project to see a performance. Sponsored by ArtSF. I'll have to provide the link later, but we're in this cool loft space. I'll take pics of the dancers and send'em on to you.

Happy Weekend!