Ducks

I took my car to service shop in the morning and when my offspringess and I left the shop leaving the car there for repairs we found out that there is a small creek jam-packed with ducks just around the corner. There were dosens of wild ducks there and it is just across the railway from one of busiest streets in town. We watched them for a while taking pictures and throwing breadcrumbs and they cautiously watched us from a distance. I liked their cautiousness as it definitely adds to the impression that they really are wild animals, not accustomed to feeding and presence of people. I'm always so shocked to see how many things, how many inaproppriate things people unjustifiably let be taken for granted and let get forgotten how things that started as clearly priviledges come to be taken for granted and considered earned and deserved.

Akai to kuro

I have finished my Living green tote last night so I didn't have proper lighting for taking pictures. I fell asleep watching Mushishi and few hours later woke up from heated argument I led in Japanese just to find out my opponent and conversation partner was the DVD player still playing Mushishi episodes.
I have also finished some crocheted necklaces recently so here is one nice photo I managed to take.

Boris at Močvara 21Jul2011

When I started learning Japanese I arranged my studies around things I love - manga, anime, music - in hopes to simplify stimuli accessibility by motivational added value and I am daily assured that it was a clairvoyant and highly pleasurable thing to do. One of the things found during my Japanese language quest is my fast evolving knowledge about Japanese music. One of the things I love the most and actually respect the most also is the fact that Japanese musicians do not let themselves be limited by genre and style - they all seem to strive toward technical mastery all the while using opening genre-transcending opportunities to better their knowledge. Boris also rises from this fine tradition and this was the shining light that led us through Boris concert at Močvara last night. They were wonderful and shining example of myriad of intertwined concepts;

they showed lightness in their playing that can only stem from confident mastery

they effortlessly traveled between styles while remaining true to their sound

they seemed to enjoy themselves all the while not forgetting that entertainment is their business

and

they gave full-blooded, lustrous performance simultaneously staying in the spirit of ordered minimalism.

I am pleased and I am impressed, both musically and experientially.

Windy day

Today it was substantially cooler than usual 35 degrees centigrade we got used to this month but I loved the change because I got new autumn shoes I wanted to take for a ride. I tried them on before Amsterdam and did not buy them then, but I kept thinking about them so I finally bought them when I got back. Tomorrow I'm going to Boris concert at Mocvara. I have been waiting for that since they first announced it months ago. I feel like... tingly all inside.

Audit trail

In a few moments I will be getting up and leaving for work but now I'm still savoring the morning. This week is supposed to be terribly stressful and over-packed but I am prepared and confident. So let's step into it...

Amsterdam

This week I was on business trip in Amsterdam. I arrived Thursday in early afternoon and managed to take just one picture before it was raining too heavy to take pictures. Nevertheless, it was wonderful! This was my first time flying and I absolutely loved the experience and it got even better from there; I stayed in fabulous Renaissance hotel and ate magnificent food and I was surrounded by nicest people imaginable.

Tote for tat

I've casted on LBY's Living Green Tote last night and it progresses famously. I worked a lot with cotton lately and I had to learn new way to hold live yarn line as all my previous work tended to align awkwardly left. I attributed funny alignment to the way I held cotton as it is spun differently than winter yarns.

Tinkering with design

I'm trying to pair up some earrings with my new reddonoshin necklace. It is refreshing and exciting to have to think of every aspect of design upfront, before even starting it, without winging it as I go (as I usually go about).

Wine red no kokoro

I'm just finishing this necklace. It is mainly inspired by Tamaki Koji's Wine red no kokoro that I utterly fell in love with first time I heard it. I am hurt and nostalgic and would appreciate more time to think and grieve but it seems I should make do with what I have.

Dog I live with

His name is Casper. My brother bought him for his kids early this year but it is bumpy accommodation so far. On the other front the dog is silly and young and I am stern and impatient. But we get by :~)