Two Guns

These two seem to have some beef! Two guns blazing!

Two Guns

B/c I want canned soup from both vending machines?

Shot 45: Two Guns

The classic stand off of two opposing forces. I say no more.

Two Roads

Two roads coming together. This was a cool shot from the roof of the convention center at AC.

Two Roads

Night I learned Taiko. These are my instructors. ((Azabu Juban, Tokyo))

Shot 44: Two Roads

The path of least resistance into the great unknown, or the road marked with tracks moving toward familiarity? Both lead towards uncertainty, but certainly will take us forward. This image represents a symbol of maturity, a test to see what life's pupil has come to learn. Tradition or new tradition? Learned from peers or learned from experience? Right or left? It's a heavy choice, one with unchangeable consequences. You choose.

Die

Vinny (my cat) gifted us with a baby bunny, and although we love when he thinks of us, we couldn't very well keep it around, so we gave it a proper sending.

Die

Stone in commemoration of a famous artist ((Yanaka, Tokyo))

Shot 43: Die

Die. A word cold in tone no mater how you say it. It comes from the mouth with a quick snap and them fades as a sigh on one's breath. We've all experienced death in one way or another, be it picking a flower, squashing a spider, or losing a loved one. Even as an object, a "roll of the die" leaves you holding your breath. Some things we don't consider to be death, while other moments stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Still

If we stay still in one place too long, we are bound to fade away, and if we do it while nobody notices, were we ever there at all? Staying still can be comforting, but it can also drive you mad.

Still

((Park outside of Ghibli Museum))

Shot 42: Still

Still water. A still day. A stillness in the air. It's a feeling that brings either relief or tension. It may also reflect consistency, which can be reliable or just plain annoying. Still, there is stillness to be seen, or hear, or felt. Capture the still today, or drink from it for that matter.

Citric Acid

An inspiration from the beautiful crystal photographs. This is a gazing globe actually (aka gnome ball)

Citric Acid

Because the fireworks in Yokohama reminded me of rainbow rainbow citric acid!

Shot 41: Citric Acid

Yes, citric acid.

The literal: http://www.lakewoodconferences.com/direct/dbimage/50146926/Citric_Acid.jpg
Where it's from: http://www.kittysoaps.co.uk/images/CITRIC%20ACID.jpg
The formula: http://www.solarnavigator.net/solar_cola/cola_images/citric_acid_structure.png

Not a very broad topic no, but if we look closer at a single crystal under polarized light...

http://dingo.sbs.arizona.edu/~hharley/ADSD/Microscope/Image2.jpg
http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/82/123882-004-9DB78796.jpg
http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/AB003814.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=7596ACBB276E4817E97DB955A4749118E30A760B0D811297

...we get an entirely different perspective.

4:29 PM

I was about to make Udon at 4:29, so here are my ingredients!!

4:29 PM

Madhouse Studios! Just a part of their collection of work... and yeah... I met Satoshi Kon....

Shot 40: 4:29pm

Wherever you are tomorrow, you'll be taking a picture of something around you at 4:29p.m. Or as close to that time as you can get. Honor system, please.

Dream

ok, so we found this G.I. Joe in our creek, and, well this is what ended up happening. This could be in a dream (hopefully not) but it COULD!

Dream

Karaoke! Because who doesn't want to be a rock star? Ryan and Justin at our Jiyugaoka 5 hour Karaoke fest! SOOOO MUCH FUN!

Shot 39: Dream

Dreaming, ironically, helps shape our reality. A dream is an idea that is bound with hope and grows larger when others partake in its potential. When we dream during sleep, it's said that the ego goes to sleep and we experience the emotions and actions we are reserved to express when awake. Then, there are times when reality seems like a dream. We've all had at least one of those days when everything we wanted to happen did, and then some. We've also had those days where we become overwhelmed with the worst and feel like we're drowning in a tragic moment. Dream, my friends. Dream.

Abandoned

It's an abandoned, sad, crying clown (in an iron lung) Went to Saugatuck today, and this was in a craft shop... along with lots of other freaky clown statues.

Abandoned

Abandon your inhibitions! ((Amazing cyclist practicing in Yoyogi on Sunday))

Shot 38: Abandoned

Usually the first thing to come to mind when thinking of the word abandoned is to be unwanted. In essence, that is what it is. Usually something will come across our path that hinders us from our routine and we take the action to remove it; a hard thing to do without the thought of consequences, or even worse, guilt. But not all that's abandoned is so terrible. To abandon your troubles proves most beneficial and leaves room for drive and hope. Be it motivating or melancholy, abandon something today.

See

Today, while looking outside at twilight, I saw the fireflies were active! They are in this jar, but I couldn't get them to light up for the life of me.

See

Random side street I thought looked cool up in Yanaka. I'm really enjoying just taking pictures of everyday things. ^_^ This is very every day Tokyo, but it still has a lot of character to it.

Shot 37: See

(I'm going to have to start posting these a little early on some days since I'm starting my summer classes and need to go to sleep before 12.)

We see every day. What we take in with our eyes is our world and what we've grow accustomed to. There's so much we look at everyday and yet, so little we actually see. There's some grass, but what's really in the spot we're looking at. There's a city block, but what is really there. Today, don't just look; see.

Precious

My cousin's kid! Everytime he's around, he becomes my little buddy, and we have lots of fun! He's a cool little guy : )

Precious

Being in such a big city.. you really find nature to be something sacred and precious. Last weekend I had to take the path less taken by foreigners and I went up to Yanaka.

Shot 36: Precious

There are many things that was consider to be precious. Life, particularly young life, usually takes the cake. What is considered precious is something held in great value, be it money, meaning, or memory. Often these things are cherished and protected by their admires, even to desperate extremes, while others, are merely glanced at and enjoyed. Capture something precious this day.

Walk

The tools of the trade... the walking trade? I guess walking is part of many trades, so yes, they can be considered tools : )

Walk

Because I walk everywhere anyway! This is in Yanaka at the famous outdoor shopping street. ((Because everything in Japan is famous?))

Shot 35: Walk

"Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walks beside me and be my friend." ~ Albert Camus

Moon

This is one of many scary statue things with faces my mom collects. This is a sleeping moon, thank god it's not a clown...

Moon

Cause SJ said I didn't have to be literal. This was the only pic I was allowed to take in the Ghibli Museum and that is because it is outside ((don't worry kids, I bought a gallery book)). If anyone has truely accomplished a huge feat worht celebrating in life, it is definitely Miyazaki! ((or Tezuka))

Shot 34: Moon

Mark Twain said, "Every one is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” How true that is. Man is now able to soar into outer space and reach up to the moon; but he is not moral enough to live at peace with his neighbor. It pushes and pull the tides of the world and with it our emotions as we find ourselves mooning over objects and even persons of desire. So much mystiysm and lore revolves around the moon, that it's shaped bits of our past, present, and furture. So today, or tonight, shoot for the moon.

Wrath

Jake was pissed at his AC in his car for not working, and he unleashed some wrath on it.

Wrath

This picture obviously needs some explanation as to how this relates to "wrath". I recently took a モエ tour of Akiba and found out about the government's plans to "rehabilitate" the area. They are basically trying to turn it into another trendy touristy area of town and get rid of the otaku. It's bs. In this picture you get the otaku in front and the new large, ugly cold building in the back. This clearly makes me angry. ((random street in Akihabara))

Shot 33: Wrath

We often make up in wrath what we want in reason. Wrath shortens life and is said to be the last thing to grow old in one's heart. It is a strong, vengeful emotion that tears worlds apart and leaves fearful memories for all. Wrath is quick to take to and long to set aside. Unleash a little wrath today, but do not linger in its wake.

Night

"The answer lies within this mystery,
it ends with you and me,
as we're dragged from the light,
into the night..."

Night

This is actually from the second night I was in Japan. The head of continuing studies (who can be seen in the back) took us out to an いざかや the first weekend we were all here. Super fun! ((random place in Daikanyama I think?))

Shot 32: Night

Night time is really the best time to work. All the ideas are there to be yours because everyone else is asleep. Night is the blotting paper for many sorrows. We must learn to reverence night and to put away the vulgar fear of it, for, with the banishment of night from the experience of man, there vanishes as well a religious emotion, a poetic mood, which gives depth to the adventure of humanity. So go and capture a little music of the night.

Flower

This was an awesome flower in the (ironically) Japanese garden at Grand Valley State University. Totally forgot the name of this though.

Flower

Ironically I was going to post this under Rain ((In the park near the Ghibli Museum)) This flower is called Ajisai in Japanese (dun know the english name). It is a special flower that only blooms during rainy season! I love this flower!

Shot 31: Flower

They say that the earth laughs in flowers. Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into. To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat. Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as people or animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright. But it is people that are the true flowers of live, and it has been a most exquisite pleasure to have temporarily strolled through your garden.

Rain

Long exposure from my bedroom window last night. It was rainy and very calming.

Rain

((main shopping street in Kamakura))

Shot 30: Rain

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain. If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life. But just as it gives, it can also take. Both a gift and a curse, without it and with too much, much would perish. Hopefully, it rained today. If not, I'm sure you can improvise.

Urban

A shot while driving of good old Grand Raggidy!

Urban

((street corner somewhere in Northwest Tokyo))

Shot 29: Urban

Easy to find, harder to live in, yet there are many who wouldn't have it any other way. Tall buildings, traffic signs, neon glow and a bustle of activity. Urban area's show the boom of human population and our continuous quests or technology and industry. Urban areas also reflect the artistic side of our society, complete with music, art, entertainment, and the most seen in these concrete forests, graffiti. Straight from the hoods, today chillins.

Sorrow

Nobody is exempt from sorrow. We all feel it, and then it passes, and thus is life.

Sorrow

((Because we can't all get good luck...random shrine))

Shot 28: Sorrow

Sorrow and joy are inseparable. It's our sweetest songs that tell the saddest thought. Together they come and when one sits alone with you, the other is asleep upon your bed. But the deeper that sorrow carves into your being the more joy you can contain. For everything there is a season, and today, we must sorrow.

Foreign

There is a foreign object here that tends to make its way into places its not supposed to be. This one's for you Kelly!

Foreign

((Couple about to get married @ Togo Shrine in Harajuku)) I want to look like that when I get married! ^o^ きれい!!

Shot 27: Foreign

Anything foreign we tend to find ourselves treating with hesitancy, curiosity, and/or fear. Though not the only reactions, they lean towards being the most dominant. But when we are thrown out of our comfort zones and into strange territory and we become the oddity, we begin to see from the other side of the spectrum. Though, it's been known to happen: we can feel foreign even in our own homes. You don't have to be in another country to feel foreign.

Europe

I thought about it, and most of our ancestors came from Europe, and many of them lived on farms. Also, it was the Europeans who broke ground and founded the land we live in today, so this simple tool really holds a lot of meaning.

Europe

B/c bikes are everywhere in Europe~! ((YOYOGI PARK))

Shot 26: Europe

Yes, Europe. Off you go, then. Find a bit.

Lurking

When we were young, things often lurked under the stairs, waiting for us... It was rainy today and this looked really cool from my art room window.

Lurking

((Working Class Hero in Kamakura... underrated and always in the shadows, but they make the world go round))

Shot 25: Lurking

Around a corner, over your shoulder, under your bed... something's always lurking. At least, we seem to think so. Nothing good seems to come from the word. We either get an image of a nerdy geek hoping for a second look, or something from our nightmares that we know can kill us. Then again, maybe it's just your dog under the kitchen table waiting for a few scraps.

Want

It is a symbol of what we want or don't want coming to us. Good news, bad news, bills, they are all wanted or unwanted.

Want

Who doesn't want copious amounts of candy... especially when it's star candy!!! ((Yokohama Happy Lawson's!))

Shot 24: Want

We all have wants, and we all have needs. Often the wants out weigh the needs because we'd rather go out and buy immediate comfort than use it to secure comfort in the long run. Want also leads to greed and envy. Too often we've caught ourselves eying our neighbor and their new car or some other gadget and think, "What a douche. Showing off the neighbors... I wish I had one." But not all want leads to ill; it can lead to hope. To want good fortune for others, to feel better during a cold, or just wish for some company is not often frowned upon, but it does require will and action. What do you want?

Distasteful

Well, we didn't have very good service today, so my mom decided to swipe the sign outside. Although it was rather distasteful, it was damn funny, and it's going to grace our deck for the summer!

Distasteful

Obama? WTF?!

Shot 23: Distasteful

We find many things distasteful, many on a daily basis, and most are personal. They are mainly small things, but it's often the little foxes the spoil the grapes. A hair in your take out, phone runs out of battery, or forgetting where you set your keys. It's also that many a time what we consider distasteful is done so with judgment and prejudice. So-n-so's clothing, the dialect of a stranger, or even as trivial as how someone holds a spoon. So whether it be bad manners or a bad taste in your mouth, find a something tastefully distasteful.

Mother

Mom and Grandma! Just gotta love em!

Mother

Shot 22: Mother

There are not enough words or time to describe the one we call mother. Joy, comfort, healer, protector, teacher, inspiration, support, and the list goes ever on. She holds our hands for a while, but our hearts forever. Home is wherever mother is. And while she's loved her children for only a part of her life, her children will love her for all of theirs. Show all that can't be be said about mother's are true, and when you're done, tell yours how much you love her.

War

So, we are watching my aunts birds, and lets just say, they are having a chirp chirp war against ours O_O And wow is it loud!

War

The War for food!!!! TURTLES VS FISH!