hunting season

It's that time of year when the pigeon's flock to our balcony.  Sex, violence and tender moments, we've seen them all.  Nami has been enjoying this spectator sport for a few years while this is Mushi's first.  It's going to be a good hunting season.

reminiscing through the jewelry box

The gold studs

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with earrings.  I had a pretty extensive collection for a 10 year old and looking back at my earrings now, I realize I had some pretty grown up taste.

I haven't worn earrings in the last five years and every once in a while I jam some in for a couple of minutes to freshen up the sealed holes.  I try to leave them in, but find I get irritated and so put them away to try again another day.  I'll probably never wear earrings again...

The first photo is my first pair of earrings, the ones that were blasted into my ears when I was nine.  I love the emerald green jewels embedded in the rich gold.  They're still pretty after all these years.

The lanterns and the folding fans

The next photo were two of my favourite pairs, and I suppose they still are.  The glass lanterns and the folding fans.  The fans still open and close but they've lost the little tassels that used to hang from below.

It's nice to look back at my collection. Most of my childhood earrings have lost their counterpart while others are damaged. But I like to go through it every once in awhile and look at them. It takes me back.

Bokeh and Kitties

Robert bought me the SLR Bokeh Kit from Photojojo for my birthday and it is Awesome.  We took it out for a test drive this evening and I love the results.  Looking forward to testing some more while we're in Japan.

Mushi was particularly crazy this morning, writhing around the chair in a playful manner.  I decided to snap some photos of his silliness and also caught a picture of Nami watching him from afar.  Below is a diptych to tell their story.  To me, the photo represents their individual personalities.  Nami is quiet, contemplative and an overall sweetheart while Mushi, still in his kitten stage, is a little ball of adorable destruction. 

11. 03. 11

Inspired by many graphic artists and illustrators (just google image "save japan"), I had a go tonight at my own little poster to remember the day and the people of Japan.

We decided to cancel the hotel in Tokyo based on the unpredictable nature of radiation levels at this time.  I'm still very excited for our trip, but it breaks my heart with the news of continuous aftershocks, rising death tolls and radioactive leakage.

USTREAMS stream of NHK World has been an incredible source for information.  I find Canadian and American news to be a little more sensationalist.  I like the straight forward fact approach of the directly translated Japanese network.  The stories are touching and I've spent most evenings alone, sobbing over the horrific events.  *sniff*

At this time, plans are a little in the air with the state of the nuclear power plant.  If things look good closer to the date, our plan is to explore the central and western parts of Japan, from the Kansai area west to Hiroshima and Miyajima.  The hotel/ryokan we booked in Miyajima for one night looks incredible.  I can't wait to stay here. I'm also excited to be able to add Koyasan to our itinerary.  Okunoin Temple looks like an incredible photo opportunity; a cemetery with over 200,000 tombstones. 

Keeping our fingers crossed.