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二次会+ .. .: - " . + ** ; ' ' ' : +- " . + **
Let's Paar-tayyy!!!
So failing mime, sound effects and interpretive dance- here's day-night-day photo party action Tokyo Moxie style. Partying in Tokyo is n.e.x.t l.e.v.e.l… and boy, can I tell some stories.. but for now, here’s the visuals on what happens when you leave the house Saturday morning (Mega thanks to Kengo Kojima & Rental819 (more coming on them next post eeeiiioow!) too)::::
Zigzaggin Tokyo covering epic distance, my transport Tokyo styling, sorting out Ducati at Rental819 Hatogaya, Harajuku/ Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu Inner Garden shrine, Rene Magritte @ The Contemporary Art Gallery Tokyo (WOOOO!!!!), Roppongi Midtown- Toraya Karyo Japanese sweets & afternoon tea, Pink Cow Cali/Mex dinner and Art, What the Dickens for the Mootekkis, NoMad for recharge, EPIC electro/house with Bulgarian maestro Kink at Air, WOOOO hell yeees!! (Deep breath and omg wtf?! Clean shoes after all that?! God Bless Japan)… Zigzaggin Tokyo covering mad milage, feed/ change/ screw on new legs, Ghibli Museum Mitaka, ANNNNNND…..Magic Mushrooms in Koenji. And like that we have popped a new seal onto Tokyo- & expanded brain and body in 15 directions and moved and grooved through 36hrs of non-stop awesomeness ^=^
Funny Bumps and Travel Tips for Tokyo (+ a little domesticity)
I am a little in LOVE with Tokyo- it's kinda sneaked up on me, very quietly like, and then all of a sudden, I fully recognised how much I very much adore where I am. Cheeeeeeky!!
This blog post is about hitting travel in Tokyo and shares some of my tips for ironing out little road bumps to make things easy like ;)
First a funny wee story about crossing the road... No-one j-walks here- you do it once or twice, and then the feeling of a million eyes on you makes you tap into line pretty quick- although, sometimes it's nice to do it, just to remind yourself you can step out of line hehe. SO: Each time I would come to a crossing I would be waiting patiently for the red man to change to green. As it would flick over I, with my fellow crossing camaraderie, would take a step to move forwards. DOOF! I would nearly walk over the person in front of me! "Gomenasai!! Sorry, Sorry" I would say, thinking- what the hell?! I left plenty of space?! Finally it dawned on me, I was taking a good 5'9" sized step, but my fellow crossers were only 1/2 my height, so weren't travelling as far!
It's the funniest stuff that hit's you sideways here :))
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GETTIN' MOVIN! The tips you need in ONE place to get around Tokyo & Japan
Suica- your best friend for travel in and around Tokyo!
This is a re-chargable (most convenience stores and at all rail/ subway stations), pay as you go card for JR trains, Metro subway, buses and even buying stuff where the pass is displayed. BOOM easy!
Psst- between these, 100Yen shops and Lawson's, you are set for life... seriously.
Cash Passport- it means you can load multiple currencies and not have to carry wads of cash on you. You can get cash out (without charges at ATM's located at 7/11 convenience stores (logo left)- which are located everywhere in Japan. (They are the only ATM's I have found though that lets you do this). You can pay for goods where credit cards are accepted and it works as a debit card by doing this. Reloading takes three days as you do a bill payment from your NZ account. Super convenient and stress-free, and they even provide you with two cards incase something happens to one of them! Heads up though- Japan runs on cash, so you need cachinga on you- especially for paying for accommodation.
The best app ever developed in my opinion for budget travellers! It GPS tracks you without having WIFI and allows you to download detailed maps of where you are, when you do have a connection. Without WIFI, you can search for all sorts of things like museums, post offices, atm's, resteraunts and clubs etc. This wee puppy has been A LIFE SAVER!
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HULA-JAMMIES and BADMINTON BAGS
So THE COOLEST thang a 7 & 11 year old can have in Japan right now is custom bags for your gear. There's this chick that likes makin stuff- so she's thinking- what better way to put those skills to use right?- cos little girls (just like grown up ones) need pretty things to make life cool ;)
Plus, who can resist sewing a cover for a hula hoop that is called a 'Hula-Jammie' ?! HEHEHE
Feel free to holla if you'd like patterns or pointers ;D
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"KUCHIKASEYA MOIRA" is Japanese Photographer. Fetish & Nard...
I went to an eye poppingly cool presentation by this Babette. Check out her photos HERE
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I love making things for others which remind me of home (click to enlarge) ^=^
CITRUS FUDGE
STRAWBERRY SHORT-KOOK
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Particle Fever is a 2013 documentary film tracking the first round of experiments at the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva, Switzerland. The film follows the experimental physicists at CERN who run the experiments, as well as the theoretical physicists who attempt to provide a conceptual framework for the LHC's results. The film begins in 2008 with the first firing of the LHC and concludes in 2012 with the successful identification of the Higgs boson. I see strong parallels in Art, creativity and dynamic thought. I enjoy the way this movie illustrates Human curiosity about our world and why it is made the way it is. Science is fascinating, thought provoking and super cool. I love this stuff ^^
The art in using chopsticks... (check out the hand position and the finger placement) I thought I had it down, until a kind Otoosan (Pop's) gave me a few pointers to look a little more Eastern ^=^
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Art in Translation..
'Modern Knights' 1500 x 600mm, Mixed Media, 2012
I painted ‘Modern Knights’ two years ago at the end of an extremely stressful period where I had been pushed right out of the comfort zone, and subsequently right on the cusp of me changing media and direction with my work. Both this previous work and ‘It’s Recyclable’ are large scale, expressive and much more loose than my normal styles, and utilise found materials. They feel to me like idea spill overs before a regrouping... And with the thoughts I have for my next works, I think they are like visual gateways before another passage.
They are a bit of expressive, not so intense and been really fun to put together.
'It's Recyclable' 1000 x 1000mm, Mixed Media, 2015
'It's Recyclable' is about putting the pieces together- both visually and literally. The Japanese text written amongst the leaves are phrases I use daily to apologise, explain myself or express my misunderstanding or comprehension. 'Tarting up' the mundane fits Japan's intense desire for beauty in all things, and I like the irony in a way that I have knitted the net package of the box back together and yet it wouldn't fold up to hold anything because the pattern has been offset. The loose drawing style is overlayed with hundreds of hand painted dots, multi- layered with paint; an investment of time and precision onto an otherwise ordinary surface. The Sakura or Cherry Blossom tree is an internationally recognisable symbol of transition, new beginnings and growth.
萌名 木作夢 :
Today I had my Japanese 'hanko' stamp kanji selected for me for Moena Moxham and remarkably it translates to 'Crush-Name | Tree-Make-Dream'.
Mokusam 木作夢 (Moxham) tree-make-dream having significance to me with a funny story I shared with the girls. 'ki' (tree) being the crux of the fun :) How appropriate seeing I just painted a Sakura Tree?!
I am an obsessive clocker of patterns, groups and systems. Mentally categorising things is how my brain filing system keeps things allocated. I had a EUREKA! moment today regarding the next step in my artwork- putting merit to my theory about my creative process.
Interestingly I thought: When you stop searching and growing you start dying, and so in some ways the collections of thoughts and ideas; gathered in a blog, are a documentation of death and the process towards this (although when you tip over into degrading rather than progressing is the interesting marker)... kinda macabre, kind of wonderful too. It was the comma on a conversation up at The New York Bar (The Park Hyatt Shinjuku- the bar from Lost in Translation) where a Canadian and I talked about people who worry about trip distance, versus people who see the time as an opportunity for adventure within itself- like travel Babushka dolls... ^=^ Thoughts?
I love how the photography of the work and process is it's own dimension. The work as 'discarded' material under the Sakura tree, the people in transit, the conversations I had with people who stopped and were interested, the help from Kurena and Minami; the unrepeatable time bubble it was made in versus the ease with which it can be folded up and packed away... process v. outcome?
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Hitting Harajuku to see the girls dressed up, I was a day too early for the traditional get together, but on my wanderings was stopped by a wonderful photographer for a wee impromptu photoshoot. His name is Ukawa Dai and here are photos of his work and a link to his tumblr- not only talented, but super duper cool and kind to match. Check him OUT! ;D
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LOST IN TRANSLATION
Park Hyatt Shinjuku: All I can say is it's WORTH going to the New York Bar to view the skyline and the other visitors hehe, ironically there are Bob's and Charlotte's hanging out everywhere, mixed with slick aristocrats and Translation fans. The view is to dye for, the staff are Devine and the food just glorious.
If ya haven't seen the flick- it's a damn fine goodie- Bill Murray (legend) + Scarlett Johansson (pocket rocket) plus a dash of Sofia Coppola (Directior); what's not to love?
The movie really IS Japan with all it's beautiful quirks :)
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Life, F.U.N & The 42nd Tokyo Motorcycle Show- Start Your Engines!
Kawaiii!!!! 極度のかわいい!
I was a bit squished out of shape in Tokyo. But I couldn’t put my finger exactly on why I was so anxious and feeling seriously flighty. Japan (through my eyes) has a strong sense of conformity and regiment. Alongside my love for order and method, I crave interaction and playfulness- but am a walking, talking contradiction and combination of juxtapositions- just like my current surroundings. I suppose I am finding things about my identity reflected more so here than at home and this includes the good bad and in-between.
Big city life is about fitting in, becoming part of a chain, going with the flow and being part of an ever moving, heaving layering. The well oiled machine doesn’t work so well if one kog pops a spot, or wants to be bigger, more slippery or fit in the opposite way. Japan’s structure and rules seem to condense in feeling with the parallel in architecture; Tokyo is very different to Hokkaido.
I love being switched on, plugged in and stimulated. A trait you might think would suit an environment like Tokyo- but it's counterpoint is I take everything a little too personally, invert situations and am not particularly slick at the opposite: turning off. Tokyo has an interesting balance of tuning out. People's schedules make sense here when you see how the power naps, rest times and abilities to 'clock out' in crowded situations are facilitated.
Here, you are not secular- you are the group. It's not personal, it's just business time. This sounds really clean cut and logical, but when your travelling by yourself, with lots of balls in the air, without a consistent companion to bat some humour and steam off, subtle changes can get big effects.
I have an opportunity of a lifetime and I had my head in the wrong cloud for a day there. Looking after children is a role I adore, although I underestimated the challenge of this with an added bonus parcel of a little language barrier. (Although I studied Japanese, I can read and understand more than I can speak; It's a damn fast way to get your conversational language skills lubricated) So, my time, behaviour and interaction had very much come down to actions dominating words. In the big scheme, so little from me but meaning SOOO much to them. Made me think of the extreme, uncompromising love and commitment and generosity my Mum & Dad and Grandparents gave to me; the childhood I had where I was encouraged to try ANYTHING, play with EVERYTHING and have opportunity of diverse thought, actions and emotion. Where expression and being heard were qualities that were actively encouraged. What a rich upbringing. The realisation and reality of how very much it is a selfless act to properly look after a child. And how selfish I was being with my world, my needs, my curiosity for opportunities, my endeavours; snip snapping; searching and pushing upstream. Major game changer: Chill OUT and learn the new groove...
Because it had nothing to do with Tokyo and everything to do with me being a complicated dick.
SO! The 42 Tokyo Motorcycle Show was shiny, well oiled and so spick and span, it was like a sales pitch on steroids. Held at the Tokyo Big Sight it contained many interesting stalls, including a fantastic setup by my favourite: Triumph ^=^
A lot of my enjoyment came from watching the other attendees and the bikes come to and from the event + the monorail trip to get from downtown to the Tokyo Wharf area of Koto is a yummy sightseeing tour too as it emerges from underground to curl around over the bridge and onto the island.
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After all the bogans and bikes, it was culture time with a PHENOMENAL exhibition current running at The Ueno Royal Museum of up and coming contemporary Japanese artists (sorry no photos on this one guys as it was on lockdown ^.^ but check out the following artists who have seriously inspired me!)
Mariane Maiko Matsuo's work (click below for enlargements) was sublime. She is a Brazilian Artist of Japanese decent who works in Osaka. I am in love of her large scale, feminine and extremely intricate artworks. Murata Mineki's artwork called 'Breakthrough Drawing Ball Point on Plywood' was incredible. Mineki is a performance and predominantly 3D based Artist- so his selection for the exhibition was interesting as it was plywood that had literally been hacked and scraped through to make a bark like texture through the ball point pen markings. It was incredibly powerful- maybe more so to my eyes as I felt the time, pressure of application and intensity that had gone into the work through my own experience.
Screwing on a new pair of legs it was a bee-line to The National Museum of Western Art for the Guercino exhibition which blew my socks off, followed by their Matsukata Permanent Collection.
Guercino (1591-1666) was one of the major painters of the Italian Baroque period who further developed the Baroque aesthetics begun by painters Caravaggio and Carracci. Conversely, he was also a painter whose style helped form later academic painting methods, and in the past has numbered amongst the most famous painters in the history of Italian art. Around the mid 19th century, when the art world began to express new values and views, Guercino was dismissed and forgotten, only to be the subject of rediscovery from the mid 20th century onwards.
David Teniers, the Younger's "Temptation of St Anthony" completely captured me- see the detail in the flying monsters below- pictures 6 & 7.
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Seibuen Yuenchi: the play-land of Hello Kitty (no question I was a fizzing furball, if not more excited than the kiddies as we screamed off to the Viking boat for first ride). It's located a wee way out of Tokyo- but has a genuine air of actual fun. Proving that the expensive is not the best and that time and experience is best thing there is- and yen can't buy quality time!
One of my favorite artists (above), Camille Rose Garcia referrs to Disneyland as being the 'saddest place on earth’- as is often the way; the fun, laughter and real joys are not in the places where they are advertised. Do I still need to visit Tokyo Disney? Nope- can't replicate today- plus I went up the best 'Tokyo Tower’ ever on the Ferris wheel with 4 adorable monkeys ^=^
A bit of NZ baking- 'lolly cake Japan style'
"Tokyo Tower"
Lolly Cake: A New Zealand favourite with a Japanese twist. No 'Eskimo' Lollies so we had marshmallows with blueberry jelly centers instead- and damn! they did the trick!
路上観察 - Japanese Manhole Cover Collection
The metal manhole covers in each city and districts are different- soooooo cool!! I just found out that there is actually a word for someone like me who likes these anomalies, it is Rojo-kansatsu (路上観察) meaning observation of the road. I ♥ snapping and collecting them :)
Sunflowers to TOKYO
The Sunflower Ferry from Tomokomai to Oarai ^=^
Nini Tomakomai!
HOKAY! For anyone wanting to travel the route lesser known to get to Honshu, there is a ferry from Tomakomai to Oarai outside Tokyo called MOL Ferry Co. It's not the cheapest option at ¥9050, but if you take into account that's your accommodation for the night too it's not too shabby. AND, in my opinion, it's all about the travel and the destination is an added bonus.
Sendai
An added woohoo is the ONBOARD ONSEN with ocean view. Yep thats right, you can steam, bathe and relax while gazing sleepily out the window at the waves cruising by. Sailing cattle class like a boss. If that wasn't cool enough, I went a little notch higher to heaven when I found the free washing machine and dryer- meaning you can soak, while washing your bits and bobs to jump fresh and so clean into them after chill-axing. Japan: you rock my world.
There is an onboard dining hall where upon entry you buy your ticket by vending machine for lunch, dinner or breakfast, or a combination. Then you present this little piece of paper to the lady standing right next to the machine and proceed on in to try all sorts of Japanese delights to the backing soundtrack of Disney's greatest hits on piano.
After arriving in Oarai, I continued my hitch-hiking excursions and met a man who took me to meet his brother in Ibaraki, the airforce capital of Japan; Super spoilt & treated to local delights like Ibaraki yoghurt and taken to see the local shops and cool sites- I am overwhelmed by peoples generosity. From Ibaraki it was ¥1000 to Tokyo on a super comfy bus from Ibaraki airport where we spent an hour watching the fighter jets take off and land -YAY!! Planes!. With the grand Tokyo Station up for challenge as the next destination, this more comfortable option got the tick.
Ibaraki floor to ceiling stain glass
Travel Buddies:
My fantastic, artistic 73 (omg- what DO they put in the water over here?!) cool as travel buddy for the voyage
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TOKYO!: Immersed in Japanese life with Mai and her two beautiful daughters Kurena and Minami
Where I am staying in Higashimurayama City. Only an easy hour on train to Tokyo :)
The Tokyo subway is seriously efficient and super easy to navigate, once you've got the basics sorted! LOL. With a change needed at Kokumbunji from JR lines to local, a bit of interpretive dance was needed with the ticket masters to navigate a complicated wee diagram and local ticket purchase machine- but I got there. Thank god for laughter- and knowing how to apologise in 日本語.. they must have thought- bloody Gaijin eeesshh!..
Below are photos of the phenomenal art exhibits I have attended and the beauty in the everyday. I was in awe of the Jakuchu and Buson's haiku and literati paintings from the 1700's, exhibited at the Suntory Museum of Art in Roppongi; thrilled to catch the Gabriel Orozco exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Koto and visit 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT which has an exhibit on at the moment about measurement. This is organised by the THE MIYAKE ISSEY FOUNDATION and was a delight in presentation as well as content.
Gabriel Orozco
Gabriel Orozco
Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum of Contemporary Art
21_21 DESIGN SIGHT. I loved this- it was the 'weight' of words ^=^
Sakura! 桜!
Bicycles gallore
The local haberdashery shop with the kindest most patient gentleman owner... that's with dealing with me- not Ku-Chan and Mi-Chan!!
A fantastic Japanese Hanko/ Inkan shop- スタンプ
Hanko date back to 5500 B.C., when people in the Middle East began engraving their personal symbols on stones, shells and clay and leaving impressions to identify property as their own. Hanko use first spread to Europe, and then Asia.
Hanko have been employed by high officials and samurai for most of Japan's recorded history and were already common among merchants and farmers by the Edo Period (1603-1868).
This was a fantastic find, as it is the background to why my artworks are stamped with the reflected knuckle 'MM' of Moena Moxham and my drawings have a seal hidden inside them.
It was Kurena's Birthday the day I arrived- I super excited and honoured to whip up a cake. The Usagi ウサギ (bunny) is me- the girls have donned me this mascot for my love of rabbits and the ウサギ in my tattoo... the resemblance is really quite striking don't you agree?!
This egg cartoon is THE SNIZ- soooOOO farking funny! Called 'Gudetama' aka Lazy Egg hahahaha!
Today SNOW, Tomorrow cherry blossom...
Down to one Freitag for 2 & 1/2 months travel. Thank you motorbiking for teaching me the art of ruck-sacking!
I am learning fast the Art of backpacking and really finding the craft in living off next to nothing, but having maximum fun! Actually so much fun, I can't figure out why the hell I haven't been doing this the whole time.. The house in which I stayed after the yogies- in a room I affectionately nicknamed "The Chopstick", plonked me within a diverse group of travellers who were mega cool. Named Australia House- ironically there wasn't an Aussie in sight, but one of every other jelly bean.
Hirafu, Kutchan, The three snow resorts: An'nupuri, Grand Hirafu and Hanazono, and snow life :)
I had a blast learning from other travellers; watching anime, snowboarding, finding the hidden gem foodies and bars and getting the ins and outs of 'how to's with $0 output' + nifty life hacks... oh and doing design work for one of Niseko's biggest entrepreneurs- check out the designs in DIGITAL
Working and relaxing with others, some who speak English, some who don't; some who speak Japanese, some who don't, really makes you up your game of interesting techniques for communication ;P You are all there because you want to be which brings an infectious energy to the environment- I feel like I have slipped out of orbit into a track that runs at whole different organic interesting flow. My new friends have similar backgrounds, interesting stories and are all curious, adventurous intriguing souls.
"The Chopstick"
An interesting conversation developed the other night about how you reach a point where you have grown up within yourself to travel with no fixed plan and no tight bookings. You realise you have collected the skills and tools to work with, and have got to a point where the anxiety about using them to effect has toned back a notch to just trust in your instincts and decisions. It followed on to thoughts about positivity and why the opposite is more prevalent in society today. Here's me delivering a bit of tongue in cheek logic lol..
Lance, Rebecca and Nigel and Barbara were cave-men and ladies back a few hundred thousand years. They decided to go out on a group date one night as ya do. Take-outs were closed, the nectar bars run dry and they had missed the boat a bit with dinner so got their hunt on. They had wandered into unfamiliar territory but Lance and Rebecca being the 'cow hide up' kinda peps went charging into a cave looking for a tiger to hunt. It was all good- they had their tiger catching skills down pat from hunting back in their neck of the woods. Nigel and Barbara weren’t so sure, they hid outside the cave- there were too many obstacles, it was dark, there was a hike to get in there, there were all sorts of other creepies and crawlies!
Unfortunately for Lance and Rebecca, they hadn’t expected the Brown Bear that had made the cave his home, and who unfortunately wasn’t too keen on being woken up. He didn’t mean to eat them, mornings and surprises weren’t his forte. Nigel and Barbara freaked, flipped and ran. “Of CORSE the others were going to get eaten they said!”. The story became a fable to the next generations- passed down from Nigel and Barabara’s children, an on to the children who followed.
Who was that dude who ate the poisonous berry so we know not to? -Lance’s Grandpa eh?! Makes you think of all the different components that make each individual experience so different and varied too... thoughts?
Yesterday I decided it was time to get on the road again and make my way down the island. Robert and Dan from Aussie House were road tripping around Hokkaido, and it worked out that I joined them with a friend to hit some amazing spots before hitch-hiking on further around the coast of Hokkaido. Starting off in Kutchan at the ¥100 Shop ($1 for ya'll in Kiwi) to dress up the car: "The Dominator- Delica" we then travelled on Route 66 (yeehhaaaa!) to Lake Toya- an incredibly idillic spot with an active volcano and an island in the middle of the lake. We visited a mental institution that collapsed in an eruption and stopped for a pic-nic/ snooze in the sun with homemade quiche (GO SAM!!) on the lakefront.
Phenominal stone sculpture at Toyakochoakebono Park- each stone was individually numbered
I parted ways at Date and hitchhiked around the coast to Tomakomai, where I was shown exceptional kindness & Japanese hospitality and taken for sushi train express for dinner. Domo Arigato Gozaimasu! Today was a travelling adventure to the Ferry Terminal to catch an overnight MOL Sunflower Ferry from Tomakomai to Oarai outside Tokyo.
Today Hokkaido, tomorrow Honshu! Looking forwards to sea legs for 12 hours and to what I come across next!
My hitchhiking companions ^=^
Lake Toya, Tomakomai...
Osho, Getting nervous on it and NO SNOW... It's serious stuff.
So with expanding new horizons, ideas, square breathing, riding moguls, powder, off piste/ on piste/ back/ in/ out/ dig/ slip, slide and shake--- Dipping, talking, giggling and streeeeetching- this beaver is now off working doing design work for Kabuki, Wabi-Sabi and Australia House.
So getting your focus on now:
Chandra Mohan Jain, also known as Acharya Rajneesh from the 1960s onwards, as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh during the 1970s and 1980s, and as Osho from 1989, was an Indian mystic, guru and spiritual teacher. He is going to impart some seriously wise stuff to ya'll folks.
Geezin these interesting tidbits out eh!:
Our hearts give off an electromagnetic field 60 times more powerful than our brain
The Enteric Nervous System aka "the Gut", contains 100 million neurons, more than the spinal cord
The 'Vagus Nerve' which is rooted in the Brain, goes all the way to your Gut and touches your Heart and all major organs on the way down, carries fibres of which 90% carry information from the gut to the brain, and not the other way around. This is where Gut feeling comes from.
“The real truths of life are never entirely new to you or to anybody because there is a level deep down within you where you already know all the things, all those spiritual truths that you read or hear, and then recognize them. I say ‘recognize’ because you’re not... it’s not new.”
SQUARE BREATHING (It's bigger than getting your inner Geek on). Looking for a simple way to soothe away tension during a stressful work day? Need a break to refocus your attention? Have a green Tea Kit Kat.. hehehe seriously... Square breathing is a simple, easy, and effective way to calm yourself and enjoy a few minutes of tranquility.
Though, you can practice this mindful breathing exercise anytime, anywhere – if you’re in your office, I suggest sitting tall in your chair, both feet on the floor. Then, it’s just four simple breath segments done to a count of four.
Inhale 2 3 4
Hold 2 3 4
Exhale 2 3 4
Hold 2 3 4
Then start increasing the count. Try not 'Closing off' your lungs when you hold (it feels like sealing the back of your throat) and instead keep your lungs open during this period.
Now go get that Kit Kat ;)
雪の天- Snow Heaven
Hokkaido: NISEKO
Nothing about Japan is cold. Paradoxes and parodies abound with Formality and Tradition the big brothers to the young mischievous ruckus of Kawaii Super Cute and Neon Love.
Night boarding at Grand Hirafu- like a boss- board in board out Boom !
Click to enlarge
A part of my soul has come home. Japan is sublime. From the moment I boarded the flight from Auckland to Tokyo, an experience filled with juxtaposition, contradictions and an unflustered air began. NZ95 must be the well pressed trooper of the fleet- from a beige & more formal past time. It was service with a smile, comfort with rugs and pillows and coloured by beige and chocolate brown interior highlights. As NZ slipped away, a very gentle calm descended.
Check out Flowstate by clicking above...
Writing this is hard- where the hell to start- it is all epic?! Currently I am in the most Northern island of Japan- Hokkaido, and a couple of hours south of Sapporo in Niseko. I am here for a relatively medium sized length of string (I never have plans set in stone); the next week is with an international group of adventurers for a gathering of likeminded individuals who are exploring new concepts of how creativity effects the neuroplasicity of the brain. Mindfulness and Flow are high productivity techniques that are achieved through self awareness, structured goal setting and by pushing ourselves out of the comfort zone. How activity, movement (mediation and yoga) and risk management (aka adventure sports) effect our process to hit the sweet spot of performance, how to nurture and care for ourselves after passing through this stage and ultimately, how to reach our full potential. HARRO!
The day I arrived I blew in with an ENORMOUS and unsuspected dump of snow- EEEeeoooW!!
In three days I have snowboarded in day and night, three fields- An’nupuri, Grand Hirafu and Hanazono. I have hiked the summit Mt Niseko An’nupuri, trekked, meditated, Chi Gong'ed (Japanese Tai Chi), yogi'ed, noshed amazing food- geeked out on incredible packaging (which is packaged in another package, within a package- you should see the recycling regime!!), met amazing locals and people from further abroad and fallen in love with Onsen.
The Hilton Niseko Onsen
“All the things that truly matter- beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace- all of these arise from more than the thinking world”
A few things I have loved and of note so far:
Onsen (hot-pools) are communal group bathing pools with a custom and ceremony which I have found instantly addictive. Women and men are split and bathing is done nude, yet a graceful and considerate respect is between all participants. Relaxing and taking care of yourself at the end of the day is a beautiful reflection time without rush or distraction.
The Western world could do with dipping her toes into this concept. I enjoy observing how this arrangement facilitates a time for women to gather and relax together without self conscious and concerned with image. This custom and many other examples in Japanese culture have made me realise how very young new New Zealand’s culture really is. Which is rather intriguing really, because we have geothermal pools and history and heritage in enjoying them- but it's a very different energy and protocol. We are but the gravel starting to seal at the beginning of a road paved in time.
Simmering subtext... it's all just under the surface bubbling away ;)
I like being Gaijin. I like opening my eyes and ears to unfamiliar surroundings and observing other traditions to assimilate into my new surroundings. Anonymity and my curiosity are a well suited pair to my adventurous spirit which is allowing me to find, seek and explore new physical, mental and conceptual platforms.
HEATED TOILET SEATS. Nuff said- revolutionary. I need one good reason why this aint global?
The countryside is picturesque and strangely familiar as it really is like the woodblocks and ink works I have admired and studied over the years. The images of my dreams are reality and lead into my sense of familiarity. Even though I have a knowledge of Japan- I was conscious to put aside expectations and arrive without assumptions- there are surprises everywhere^=^
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive. Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive”
..::'''++***
THIS. IS. IT. xx
“Even daylight curls herself in night’s embrace
The laughing lady must have a darkness in her smile,
Not dusky, more like midnight,
Inky undulating pillows of ideas emanating from the
Inside
Out
Embellished with apertures framing opportunity.
Refracting snapshots build an image
The echo of a past production
Yet familiar in consistency and familiarity; the bass notes with resonance and sound
Dynamic adaption to change
quiet, subtle but conscious evolution
Reflection. Growths breaking apart and reforming in
New
Better.
Stronger
Function over form.”
“The day the mountains move has come.
Or so I say, though no one will believe me.
The mountains were merely asleep for a while.
But in ages past, they had moved, as if they were on fire.
If you don’t believe me, thats fine with me.
All I ask is that you believe this and only this,
That at this very moment, women are awakening from their slumber.
If I could write entirely in the first person,
I, who am a woman.
If I could write entirely in the first person,
I, I.”
NZ Life and Leisure Magazine
Guess who's featured in the 'Motoring' section of NZ Life and Leisure?! This Jan/ Feb 2015 edition
Photography: Nicola Edmonds
Right: My Great, Great Grandmother, Celia Anne Coombe and her 1913 Triumph 3 1/2 hp that was bought for her 21st Birthday by her Father. She went on to street race Bugatti cars...! ^=^
Above: 1913 Triumph 3/12 hp
Upcoming Awesome Events- Splore and Flowstate
There is still time to grab your tent, snatch the 'kini or the budgie smugglers and get on the road! .... better add that Care Bear Onsie in too ;D
Click to go explore SPLORE!
There are art installations, workshops, performances and moooooreee!!......
EPIC line up- click the image to go see what other amazing acts are coming!
Miss Kara-Leah Grant from theyogalunchbox.co.nz is taking two workshop not to miss too!
POST SPLORE: Verdict: THE BEST FESTIVAL I Hhave been to to date- Hands down. Absolutely wonderfully chilled and fun- with a capital F. The venue, the facilities, the vibe and the ethos- sustainable, leaving no trace and an experience I will treasure. I haven't EVER been as relaxed or enjoyed a camping music festival like I have the last three days. It is truly a family friendly festival and completely unique. This biennial event has now gone annual- If you are in NZ, I would lock and load now for next year!
BURNING MAN YEEEEAAH!
I am now eyeing up these two phenomenons- CLICK on the images to go have a peek *=^
Mind + Body + Adventure.... +++ ^=^
I don't think I can quite express how excited I am to be joining these guys for the week... well, put it this way- I am SO excited I am q u i e t .... (and if you know me- you will truly understand the significance of that statement!)
Get thee to their site and check out the other events and adventures they have coming up!!
YES YES YES!
2014 Triumph Street Triple- FOR SALE!
Ok- this is breaking my heart- but I'm selling A3TZC ;(
2014 Triumph Street Triple $12,999
- 7578 km's on the clock
- Still covered by Manufactures' Warranty
- Heated Grips
- Triumph specific crash protection
- Triumph S-Triple Paddock Stand (gloss black) and bike fitted with bobbins
- Triumph extra cushion seat.
- Rego and WOF'd (History kept with Motorad Wellington)
- 1 phenomenal lady owner who has lovingly run in engine from new and maintained machine.
THE FACTS
Triumph Street Triple- 6 speed, manual transmission, Pirelli Diablo Tyres.
Power/torque: 105bhp @ 11,850rpm/50lb ft @ 9,750rpm
Top speed: 201 km
Fuel tank/range: 17.3L /290km
You don’t have to look twice to know that it’s a Triumph Street Triple. With minimalistic design, pure muscle, no unnecessary plastic panels and a pair of conservative tank scoops, it stands out.
The engine is bare and is a vital part of the overall design. The twin headlights resemble eyes which have just popped out, as if the Triple had just spotted Steve McQueen ride by on his Bonnie! The novel headlight design is unique only to Triumphs. You either love it or... well LOVE it.
Everything on the Triumph Street Triple resonates top-notch quality and exceptional finish - right from the soft-touch palm grips, easy to reach control switches, to the neatly laid out instrument console.
The twin trip computer throws information like time, fuel economy, range and lap timer information. There’s even a smart gear-change LED indicator on the console which can be programmed to one’s riding style.
This is a dream to ride- simply fan-fucking-tastic.
♥ Romain Hugault
Romain Hugault
A very good friend of mine tuned me into this PHENOMENAL artist! His name is Romain Hugault and I love his art..... like, LOVE it.
An excerpt from 'Mastery' by Robert Greene
..::"::....::"::....::"::....::"::....::"::....::"::....::"::....::"::....::"::....::"::....::"::..
Gimmie a wave if you see me in the sky's of New Zealand.. the mascot me or the real me hehe ^+^
Vote for Me Please! Paper Rain Project
The very cool Paper Rain Project are running a t-shirt competition and one of my designs is up for public vote HERE.
Please vote for me by hitting LIKE if you support my entry, and share the link amongst your friends ^=^
Competition and vote counting is only until 15th of February.
If my design gets enough votes, it goes into production and I am paid a percentage for each t-shirt that is sold- this would be great while I am overseas ;)
My design 'Suspension'. CLICK this image to go vote :)
Universe Hands Down Wins & The Art of Being Consciously Uncomfortable
Astrophysicist Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson was asked in an interview with TIME magazine, "What is the most astounding fact you can share with us about the Universe?" This is his answer.
It's three posts in three days- I just learnt there is a schedule button lol- so I'll space them out from now on. It's hitting you real time as my brain is just fizzing atm. The combination of art projects, sorting out the move to Japan and Canada, and having a more fluid schedule to do so with finishing up at Workshop has meant I'm just turned ON.
Plus I just hooked up with an epic adventure/ yoga team hitting Niseko in March. Check out dem apples at Flowstate YEEahh!
These two videos are really in the grounding of where I am heading with this trip and the life spaces I am investigating through this.
The events I have been through and overcome have given me skills and techniques in reprogramming thought patterns and behaviour; I really want to create something that shares this is a damn funky good way. These abilities are supported by the activities I am passionate about.
I am sometimes questioned about how the Art, snowboarding, motorbiking, yoga can all fit together & what relevance they have in helping others. The answer for me is that they feed me intellectually, spiritually and in a neurological format. They're integral to how I have nutted out the more esoteric nobbly ideas. The physical movement is a bonus- but the golden nugget lies for me in what they make my brain do. This in turn allows me to calm, reflect, open up to the environment and then absorb more information- and this means I am healthy and happy and able to impart what I have figured out!
I am a little luke warm on the social media options for the moment... "you have a blog though" you may say. Yes, it's nice to share isn't it. You have decided to come here and read this- a conscious decision on your part to interact.
I am intently curious about EVERYTHING- which has gotten me into all sorts of knots- but equally taught me how to get OUT of them as well. I am very concerned that we are becoming normalised to repeating seemingly passive behaviours. Clicking through Facebook, refreshing our email inbox, flicking the screen on the iPhone to see if there is a text, you do one of these once every 10 minutes, thats 66 times in a day if your awake for 11. It doesn't seem that bad- but what it reinforces in our brain, I believe, is going to have significant neurological impacts on our ability to change behaviour. I get crumpled when people say "look, you've just got to get over it, it's the way the world works these days- you won't be able to work successfully if you don't start doing this". Firstly: we have survived for thousands of years without this and been very successful prior to social media. Secondly: Why the hell should we all want to be the same, when being different is a draw card? Thirdly: This blog is my world not owned by another company. Fourth: I search to be actively informed not passivley fed information. But, watch this space as I figure out what I want to buy into, because there are wonderful merits to having a social media presence too :D
Electronic media lacks a little lustre in elemental social aspects. We have subtle nuonces of communication; body language and natural sensory inflictions that work for particular reasons. Smell, movement, vocal infliction... these senses keep us safe but also rationalise situations and relationships. This is why feeding ourselves with music, art, BREATH, movement, feels so bloody good!
To overcome reinforced negative habits, thoughts, pre-dispositions or biases, like Miss Myers says, we must be able to rebel against our deference and primal reactions.
We are pack animals; we all want to be in the sandpit together- the problem with that though is that we take comfort in conformity. We put value on ambition and novel expression, but when faced with the reality of difference, we shoot down, sabotage and undermine. We can be quick to criticise and critique and conclude judgement without factoring the bigger picture; that creativity is a process- a dynamic evolving strategy of test/ play/ re-evaluate/ modify/ repeat...
When I learnt how to ride a motorbike I practised skills over and over, in different conditions (pleasant and un-pleasant), to make sure that those habits became my instinctive reactions. I take pleasure from making myself uncomfortable, in some ways, in order to learn and achieve higher. As much as our rational brains may not want to do something- when under pressure our primal and instinctive reactions will override these urges. Addiction regardless of what physical manifestation it takes, has the same underlying mental pattern of repetition. If we have a society which is becoming more conformist, we are dumbing down our ability to rebel against these concepts and forge new habits through adverse reaction. If you loose this ability to question, be comfortably awkward and rebel against the general bais, we are going to loose our edge in being able to make sure we can change.
Bloody Brilliant: The Theory of Everything is the story of the most brilliant and celebrated physicist of our time, Stephen Hawking, and Jane Wilde the arts student he fell in love with whilst studying at Cambridge in the 1960s.
Yogis and NOSH
A wee foodie blog delivery this evening after I was nattering on at dinner about the sugar free treats I had made today. Super easy stuff- and this combo uses up ingredients over multiple tasty treats.
Roast Cashew Butter, Raw Chocolate Cashew Reeces Pieces, Coconut & Strawberry Popsicles... oOOoo and the salad to rule them all Grainy Goat (I can't face calling it "Superfood-something-something" soz), and the all time favourite- Watercress Soup ta-daaaa!
This post goes out to the amazing yogi lady-babes in my life and highlights a very special one- who not only is an incredible teacher, intellect and person but is also a hellova expertise in vino (wine to ya'll)- drum rollllllllll!- Elissa Jordan ^=^
Elissa Jordan Yoga
Winey Little Bitch
You can catch Elissa's yoga class schedule and share her passion for imparting the gift of a 'little bit o' quiet' here at Elissa Jordan and her wine website here at Winey Little Bitch.
Roast Cashew Butter
raw cashews
flakey sea salt
Pics Peanut Oil
Choose a flat-bottomed container, such as a quiche dish — ceramic is best (the sides of the nuts in contact with metal may darken faster than the rest). Heat the oven to 165° C (325° F) oven, and then place the container in the oven to heat for a few minutes. Then fill it with a single layer of nuts, so they will roast more evenly.
Roast the nuts on a middle rack, away from bottom heat, for about 20 minutes, taking the dish from the oven every 5 mins to shake (rattle & roll) — until they reach a pale golden color. (Taken much further, the roast flavors hide the cashew ones.)
Cool the nuts at least 15 minutes. If you don’t wait, the interiors of the hot nuts, particularly if you hurry the roast in a hot oven, will be strangely soft.
Blitz the c%$p out of them in a blender with a drizzle of Pics Peanut Oil (teeny tiny at a time) and pinches of sea salt until you reach your favorite consistency and saltiness.
Set aside for the Reeces Pieces if you can keep away...!
Raw Chocolate Cashew Reeces Pieces
1/2 cup raw cacao butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup raw cacao powder
really small pinch of stevia powder or 1 tsp malt syrup
2 Tbsp coconut cream
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp cinnamon
flakey sea salt
1 greased (with coconut oil) flexi chocolate mould/ tray
Gently melt the cacao butter in a small pot, take off heat and add the coconut oil, stevia (or sweetener) & cacao powder. Spoon enough into the bottoms of the mould cups to fill 2mm or so. Pop in the freezer for 5 mins till set.
Spoon teaspoon dollops of Cashew Butter on top of the set chocolate.
Add the cayenne pepper, cinnamon & coconut cream to the remaining raw chocolate. Mix and then spoon over the butter to just below the top of the moulds. Sprinkle with sea salt and set in freezer for 15 mins.
Pop out of moulds and keep in the fridge as they melt at room temperature. YUM!
Coconut & Strawberry Popsicles
400ml can Coconut Cream (-2 Tbsp if you did the previous recipe)
small pinch of stevia powder or 1 tsp malt syrup
1/3 cup chunky thread coconut
1/2 cup frech strawberries, chopped
ice-block moulds
Blitz the coconut cream, stevia and the thread coconut in the blender for a blast till combined.
Pour into the moulds 1/2 way. Freeze for 1/2 an hour.
Plop the strawberries into the remaining coconut cream mixture and give a quick blast.
Pour on top of the cream to top of mould- slot in the sticks and wait to set.
Go get hot and bothered and come back and enjoy a little of all the above.
Grainy Goat
1 cup brown rice/ quinoa mix
1/2 cup israeli couscous
1/2 tsp olive oil
coloured ground peppercorns
1 lemon- zested and squeezed
flakey sea salt
1/2 cup shelled edamame soy beans
2 1/2 cup mixed snow peas, broccoli, beans, peas (can be frozen)
good handful of baby rocket and/or chopped iceberg lettuce
chopped itallian or curly parsley
2 stalks of celery- chopped
1/2 cup roasted unsalted almonds roughly smashed
1/4 cup Craisins (raisin/ cranberry hybrid goodies with 50% less sugar!)
a slug of Hemp Seed oil &/or Pics Peanut Oil
a decent crumble of goats feta
more ground pepper/ lemon juice to taste
Cook rice/ quinoa to packet instructions- while absorbing stick the frozen veggies in with lid on top.
Heat oil, ground pepper and pinch of salt with the israeli couscous- gently colour couscous- add cold water until 3cm above top, simmer 5 mins or until nearly double in size and mostly absorbed. Turn off heat and let expand/ soak remaining liquid.
In a big bowl add grains and all the other ingredients minus the goat.
I divide heaped cups into zip locks and freeze for other meals- should get at least 4 servings from above.
To serve crumble goatie on top, squeeze extra lemon and crack dem peppers!
Watercress Soup
1 Tbsp Ghee
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 medium fennel bulb
Celery top (I chop the top part off the bunch so it fits in the fridge & stick it in the freezer for this wee recipe)
1L fresh Chook (chicken) stock
1.5L water
2-3 bags/ bunches/ small plants of watercress- chopped and big stems taken out
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
dollop of unsweetened yoggie for serving
(Big ups to Miss Sarah Wilson of I Quit Sugar for this number. Check it OUT- there are soon many goodies on this site, including more fantastic recipes)
Heat the ghee in a BIG saucepan over a low heat. Saute the onion until soft, add the celery and the fennel- cook until glassy. Add the stock and the water. Bring to the boil, turn down and simmer 10 mins.
Add the watercress, season with salt and pepper, add the cumin and cayenne and stir for 3 mins.
Remove from the heat and puree using a wand blender.
Fill sink with cold water and ice (or I drop in freezer blocks) and sit the pot in there until soup cools. This keeps the bright green colour- and well hell, we need pretty soup in our lives!
I ladle portions into zip locks and freeze. Can be eaten hot or cold. Super tasty with fresh rice paper rolls ^+^
Summer Video Lovin..
I loooooved these- but I do warn you, I am giant geek- hear me roar.. some old favs and some newbies.
#1... in the Way Back category hehe
I never tire of this movie- costume by Gautier. Mirren at her best and set design to die for.
Great even if you don't ride just for the retro shots!
"Only intelligent, cool, good looking people ride motorbikes- and evolution takes care of the rest" lol
Ghibli Museum Tokyo here I come 9th March! Click to go to site ^=^
Progress and Kind Success
Today is a very special day for me, as 4 years ago I stopped smoking and drinking. Since the 2nd of Feb 2011 I have replaced old habits with more positive and rewarding ones. Today I filled my hours with creative pursuits, giving thanks; to my Mother, to my Father and to myself & a little bit of relaxing luxury.
I put good and healthy things into my body, think positive and productive things with my mind and make things with my hands that help others and myself.
Above is a very pertinent wee video by Mr Botton- given to me today by a great friend- I think you may like it also.
In the world we live in, I believe it is so important to buy into the right ideas to keep ourselves well, and learn how to block out the other 'white noise'. Moderate social media, put down the device, stop fiddling with whatever and tune in to our habitat, relationships and ourselves. Try not to compare, judge and summarise- rather be engaged; participate and observe; allow ourselves to learn and preconceptions to be challenged. Goof off!- it's ok to giggle when you fuck up.
It really is ok not to know about other people shniz unless they tell you in real time. Friendships last through distance, only other women want women to be thin, and a smile is the most attractive thing you will ever wear- especially when its the only thing.
Breathe, listen, smell, see..... turn to the person next to you and share.
Sculpture On The Gulf- Waiheke, Auckland
On Wednesday I was up in Auckland to receive my USA visa and decided to pop over to Waiheke to meet galleries and take some time to appreciate and enjoy NZ Summer at it's best.
I was three days to early for this amazing event- but as I was on the ferry I decided to be cheeky and attend early ;) I'm very glad I did so, as I had the pleasure to meet the artists in person and take my time meandering around the artworks. Mighty inspiring!
Sueng Yul Oh - This was BRILLIANT and very effective especially from a distance. What you experienced up close, was this cool stretchy synthetic sound that went with the movement!
I loved this work by Suji Park.
Up close the detail was so striking and like a archaeological site from an LSD tripped alien.
Click to see more detail in the photos ;)
Meeting Brydee Rood was a treat. Her installation had a very oriental feel with the wheelie bins slammed up with gold and silver foil. Her work talked about the desecration of native fauna by domestic land clearance. We have all seen the wheelie bins pilled high with garden waste on a Monday morning after 'doing the gardening' on the weekend- but are we considering the implications of our good intentioned actions?
Veronica Herber's piece was stunning from afar and up close. I climbed the big pohutakawa and viewed from above this engaging piece which from the ferry looked like a target on the hillside.
#8 Wire mentality...
Elin & Keino
I was spoilt to meet Robert Jahnke & Joshua Campbell by their latest sculpture. I have always loved Spinning Top that resides in Woodward St, Wellington so it was pretty special to have the opportunity to talk with both Robert and Joshua in person.
𝒞𝓊𝓇𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓁𝓎 𝓁𝑜𝒸𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃:
𝓙𝓪𝓹𝓪𝓷 | 2014
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