-
Good Luck in the New Year
Yesterday I went to Yoyogi Park to work on a new comic hooping act but got distracted as I entered the gates, Healthy Matsuda, one of Tokyo’s licensed buskers (Heaven Artists, dont’ get me started) was setting up do a comic mime performance. I grabbed a hot tea from the vending machine nearby and plonked myself in…
-
Happy New Year
Best wishes from me and Tod for a bright Year of the Dragon.
-
25 Words
Mother Earth trembled and futures fell apart. Uncertainty ruled us for months but in the end I’m still in Japan, married, hooping, and feeling happy. This is the eleventh year I’ve summarised the past 365 days in “25 words exactly”. This year’s had a surprise ending for me that I didn’t see coming until it…
-
Engage 2012
For the past few years, I’ve selected a theme to guide my year. It’s been a word or an idea that I can turn to in times of doubt or confusion, a mantra that will move me forward or bind me to the moment, something to help me decide what to do. I write it…
-
Celebrating my Progress
A friend wrote on Facebook today, “Be reflective and notice what you’ve learned and what you’ve accomplished this year. Celebrate your progress!” I think that’s a good idea. At first, I feel like I haven’t really done very much this year. And then I start looking at some of the things I made notes about…
-
Krampus
Have you been naughty or nice this year? Santa and Krampus know… Krampus is Santa’s cruel other half. He brings the coal, carries switches to inflict punishment, and eats children on the naughty list. He’s not usually depicted as a dragon, but it seemed an appropriate avatar for the coming Year of the Dragon. Here’s hoping you’re…
-
Totality
Phases of the eclipse, captured by Tod. Last night was the first time I’ve experienced a full lunar eclipse. It was beautiful. We rushed out of the house at 21:45 to catch the first bite taken from the moon. Japanese word for lunar eclipse is gesshoku, 月食, which is literally moon eating. What a meal. With a…
-
Christmas Lists
Christmas makes me crabby. I feel bullied into making the December holidays happy for everyone I encounter. I get resentful. I get depressed and furious with myself because I am not living up to an ideal I don’t even believe in. I hate that. So this year, I sat down before I became overwhelmed and…
-
WHD Dance 2011
It’s done! It was a collaborative effort in 11 countries with 41 groups and 317 dancers performing for World Hoop Day on November 11. Such a thrill to see the project grow so big. 2010 saw 17 groups dancing. For 2012, I’d better pick a song that allows me to extend it easily. Organising the…
-
Hiroshima
We’ve just returned from a three night trip to Hiroshima-ken. Starting in one of my favorite towns in Japan, Onomichi, we walked hundreds of stairs, took in the sunset view from the hilltop, said hello to the ominous monkeys, noted the economic upturn of the shopping arcades, ate pizza, Onomichi ramen, and Thai food. On…
Archives