beer, sake, drums and boats

On our return from Japan, I was inspired to find the Japanese markets in San Diego. I enjoyed being able to walk through the store and recognize items. The Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana was advertising a Beer and Sake festival, which I was determined to go to.
I met Trent after work, and we drove over to the harbor to board the Berkely, and sample sake, beer, and various appetizers. They had traditional dance performances and a student taiko drumming group from UCSD. The sun set over the harborduring the drumming performance. It was a beautiful way to end a long week.

job news

I will be working 30 hours next year at the Museum with benefits!!
Please have a drink and celebrate with me.

neighbors

This morning both Claire and Elijah have moved out of Meade Avenue. I have known of Claire's departure for some time, but Elijah never said a thing to me, even yesterday when I asked him what he was up to for the day.
Within a few days, I'll have two new neighbors.
I spend the morning painting cyanotype solution onto muslin for the MoPA camp.

new beginnings

I'm not sure why I can't get onto my old website, which is unfortunate, as the domain name is perfect for me, so I will begin using this to keep everyone updated.

I will be soon posting the remaining information about my Japan trip, and most certainly, my 48 hours in Kansas.

further japanese adventures

again with the list, but it must be done and this is quicker:

in Kyoto, Trent and I stayed at the luxurious Hotel Granvia right at the fantastic Kyoto Station. On our agenda for the three days we spend there were many tours of gardens, temples and castles.


the famous Golden Temple,
Nijo Castle with the nightengale floors,
the famous zen rock garden where we sat for a long meditative time, admiring the garden and watching the master gardeners quietly talking to eachother across tree tops to execute cuts and trims to create 'perfection'
women in funny little bonnets sweeping the mossy forest floor with handmade brooms
swimming, jacuzzi and massage chairs while reading japanese sporting magazines at hotel
suchi bar at the top of a
having a delightful nightcap in the hotel bar
fiding the 'wishyou' building admidst thousands of kimono clad revelers in the streets
amazing dinner of spring rolls, duck pizza, noodles with seafood topped of with a nara-nara and water
Imperial Castle, hot hot hot and very humid
a tiny trip to Gion, and spotting two maiko
nearly missing the train back to Tokyo

and then our last night in Nagoya:

another multiple course dinner with the Kono family, delectable
catching the redsox/yankees game in the morning, prep for returning

epic drive home from LAX, which should not really be shared at all