The Body Knows

At least, I think it seems to before I do. Generally, I don't think of someone who gets stressed about things, but lately, I think my body has decided to take me to task over the matter and inform me in no uncertain terms that I am so very wrong. Various health issues that all seemed to hit me at the same time suggest that perhaps I am stressing myself more than I know, and maybe I need to do something about it. But really, who wants to quit doing things?

Japanese Mysteries

On my way home from a kotatsu delivery yesterday, traffice slowed to an inexplicable pace nearing the high school. Slowly, we inched up the hill, all the while wondering what was going on? Must be a car accident with looky-loos unable to control themselves. Inching further forward, and no sign of flashing lights. Still wondering, still inching... And then, there it is. Hakusai!! (for those not aware, a kind of Chinese lettuce) Scattered all over the road. Smashed and smushed and half run over. And on the side of the road, a grandma with a basket darting in and out of traffic to try and rescue what she could.

***
At a school festival today, I watched small children perform bizarre little skits, forget lines, sing, dance and perform in the dark of the elementary school gym. Then, I caught a glimps of the toque the elderly fellow in front of me was wearing. "No, that can't be what it says. It's dark, he was moving -- I misread it." More singing, dancing, and still watching out of the corner of my eye to try and catch another glimpse of the patch on the front of his hat. "No!!! Seriously? That can't be right... No, it really does..."
What did it say? "Bitch Skateboards." Yeah baby, bring it.

***

Finally, at the same school festival was a young girl with these classic words emblazoned on her shirt, "Catch up with the man."

I wonder what she thinks you should do with the man after you catch up with him...

Moonless Moonlight

Looking across the river tonight, the treetops up the side of the hill are all coated in a sugaring of snow. Enough snow that I had to glance around to see where the glow was coming from. But, as it is a clear moonless night and the stars are thousands of miles away, it was only the glow of the snow against the dark blue sky that had my mind's eye playing tricks on me.

Art and Music

I have been thinking about both recently. Art because I recently have encountered a couple of people who are talented artists but I had no idea. Like me, they have some ability (possibly, if not quite likely more than me) but they haven't put pencil to paper in ages. Their lives have taken up too much of their time, a situation I well understand. I recall taking a drive last year (last year!!) and finding some sights that inspired me to sketch for a while, but I haven't taken that trip again since that day.

"art" versus "Art" is another of those topics that I have been musing over recently. Having spent a little bit of time vacationing in the museums of the renaissance and onwards, I have an appreciation -- although not always a real understanding -- for Art. I admire the skill and the talent it takes to put something together. I enjoy the impact of a well-crafted piece. But, even though I have taken a few fine arts classes, I tend not to overthink the meaning and symbolism said to be inherent in the thing.

Maybe it's because my own personal version of art tends towards the simple. I wish I had the imagination of others that are able to design something from the mind's twistings, but I tend to be more inspired and more interested in the real that surrounds me. And so, I go in for "art."

***

Music is my sanity.

I was once asked by a friend (not always the most tactful or well-thought friend) why I like music so much. It's not as if I play an instrument, he remarked. I hadn't realized he was such a musical snob.

I love it because of it's ability to fade into the background as my own soundtrack, or it's ability to bring me directly into the emotion of a moment. The desire it can create in me for spontaneous eruption of song or dance. The energizing, or the equally calming, effect it can have.

And I love the accessibility of it to so many. And that it takes no membership card to do so. Apparently my point of view and my friends don't quite sync up.

It is this love of music that drives me to share it with people. For a friends birthday, I gave him music. But I had such a hard time choosing, I ended up giving him 11 CDs worth. When I get asked to DJ, always I end up trying to narrow down fifty or sixty songs to a mere twenty or twenty-five. My passion runs a little too deep maybe.

Fabulousness and All it Entails!

I am in one of those mental places where I have once again decided I am fabulous. Despite the various injuries I seem to be enduring, I am fabulous. I have work I need to do instead of this, but I always figure a little self-confidence doesn't hurt. And I also think a great many more of us could use the confidence!

Impulse Without Meaning

I have an urge. An urge to blog. I even had an idea -- a good idea -- for something to blog about. But, alas, alack, and och, that was on Thursday when I was driving to a conversation class. And *poof* it was gone. I haven't been able to dredge it out from the mush that was my mind. And yet, I have an impulse to blog. But nothing to say. I need to get out more, I think.

I really wish I could remember what I wanted to blog about on Thursday... I had the distinct impression it would be interesting and fun to type about.

Damn. Blame it on old age?

Mish Mash Splish Splash

On my way home from work today, I passed by one of my grade two students. She was 'skipping' along, but skipping feels like a word that is lacking in it's descriptive qualities. She was leaping from foot to foot, with her arms swinging out far and wide to the sides and over her head. Inhibitionless, that's the way to be.

Voyeurs Anonymous

What with only having just gotten internet installed (in my Japanese life, anyways), it has become even more disturbing to me the voyeuristic tendencies I am subject to. Now, I was never one to watch the reality shows -- the first ever season of Survivor, and some of the second were about the extent of it -- but I am definitely exhibiting inclinations. Not only that, I am inviting people in as well. Facebook and blogs, and whatever else... I wonder if that is why facebook has such success? Not the social networking thing, but our ill-concealed desire to find out what other people we know are doing. I mean, I have "friends" on Facebook that I am not sure I would consider friends in real life. Although, I am getting better about ignoring requests. I will admit to enjoying looking and reading to a certain extent to see what's going on. Primarily, I use it becuase so many people I know are so far away, and it is an easy way to keep in touch. And on occasion, it can even be inspiring, seeing where people have been or what they are trying. But half the time, it is just curiosity about someone I don't really know, with perhaps a smidge of occasional jealousy... Today, I ramble.

Hooley Success!

Hi! High? Pecadoss's 2008 Hallowe'en Fancy Dress Hooley was a smashing success, if off schedule from the first minute on. Loads of people, some inspired - and some less so - costumes. Some dirty and some disturbing costumes. But then, what is Halloween if not an opportunity to be the skanky self you might not usually be? Plenty of music -- fabulous music. And again, Eshico burned the place down, showing why they are well worth the hype of having a TV crew on hand. Even live art, performed before our very eyes, accompanied by classical piano. All in all, an excellent chance to see and chat and dance with people who I haven't seen much of recently. Even Kaori, in from the capital, was on hand.

As for my costume? Well, my definition changed depending on my mood when you asked me. Diane's lesbian lover, porn star, madam of a bordello, mafioso, superstar DJ, Bonnie (as in "& Clyde"), queen of the universe, queen of her own mind, evangelist, foreigner... Much like my own life really, the change you see reflected in my own mind's state.

God, it is so time for bed now...

Drunk Mailing...

I had an impulse as I went to bed last night to perform some irreverant drunken emailing... The bizarreness stemmed from my sobriety. The urge was strong though - very strong - but the force was mine to be wielded and instead, I fell into a fitful sleep wherein I was haunted by numerous songs that refuse to flee the confines of my mind. Normally, only one song is trapped, spinning round and round and round, but my mind seems to have gone supernova on me and kept expanding to include more tunes. Last week it was "Ballroom Blitz." Last night, the blitz returned with company -- "Cry Baby," "Bananza (Belly Dancer)," "I'm not going to teach your boyfriend how to dance with you," "U Can't Touch This," and last, but certainly no the least -- in fact, perhaps the most pervasive of them all -- "Heaven for the Weather." And yes, I realize my capitalization is erratic...

Literary Languishing

During my fabulous summer holidays, I managed to acquire several intriguing books and a list of others I wish to hunt down somewhere or other. And now, the only time I really spend reading is the 10 to 20 minutes before I fall asleep... Or instead of this, I suppose.

Although, I am supposed to be also preparing my Saturday night set... So far, U Can't Touch This is my number one pick.

Procrastination and the Mastery Thereof...

It's not that hard, really, when you think about it (as is evidenced by this first line, meandering around and away and avast of any point I may actually have). Almost a science, really, but more of a magical science I think. You have to be willing to allow yourself to be captured by the big, the tiny, the infinitesimal, the underestimated, the overlooked, the vast, the beyond comprehension. In small doses or large, whatever catches the mind's eye and is able to carry it off into the nether reaches of your dusty mind. And of course, the most important part... It must be in lieu of the perceived necessary or important. But what's that they say about beholders and so forth? Maybe it is all part of the plan to enjoy being human... But none of this will help me get a Masters, will it?

Rebirth and Resurrection...

Finally, I have internet at home. Seven plus years in Japan and I have never bothered, but now... Now I am attempting to take a Masters via mail / email / internet, and what with necessity and all...

Because of this here Masters, it is entirely possible internet access will not improve the frequency (or infrequency) of my postings, but it will mean I no longer have to suffer from paranoia about inappropriate usage of shared computers at work. So fingers crossed!