Lights in the Forest

On a Nara summer afternoon walking the paths of 春日大社 (Kasuga Taisha) brings one relief  from the heat and sunlight.

As a boy I enjoyed reading my mother’s ikebana books while she created simple, elegant arrangements. It was difficult to imagine that something so beautiful could arise from the newspapers and greenery covering the kitchen table. One book had a chapter on placing 燈籠 (stone lanterns) in a garden and I constantly asked for a lantern.

The paths and grounds of Kasuga Taisha are lined with hundreds of lanterns; the work of masons over centuries. Seeing them with lights flickering inside is an experience beyond words.

Joys of Summer in Japan

Brushing one’s hand over a rosemary bush still wet with Kansai morning dew.

Leadership needed, NOW

In arguably the most important period in Japan since August 1945, in-fighting and power struggles have hijacked the institutions needed to lead and restore the nation post 11th, March.

The cultural qualities which are an important factor in Japan’s future recovery, industrial growth and economic success seem lacking in the political class which rules this nation. In his post of 4th, June, Garren details both the politics and the plight of the large portion of the population directly affected. This article should be required reading for all in the world concerned with public policy and it’s impact.

In the immediate aftermath of the quake, tsunami and nuclear reactor failure I read many articles and posts comparing the effects with previous calamities, almost all of which I felt underestimated the impact. Inaction and indecision will surely result in this effectively becoming the worst natural disaster to affect an industrialized country.

I struggle to understand the aspects of Japanese culture which seem to accept this worst of all possible reactions to the crisis by politicians as being acceptable. Motions of non-confidence and other parliamentary procedures calculated to make problems are not acceptable now, however, those proposing them do so with with apparent impunity. The anger of the mayors and residents of the destroyed cities and towns of Tohoku is apparently irrelevant.

Those qualities mentioned by Garren (diligence, honesty, consensus, community and perseverance) are admirable and even enviable; they are also essential to the rebuilding and restoration of modern life in Japan. Leadership and vision are required; unfortunately it seems that those who should be providing them are otherwise engaged.

 

Ed. Steve Naegele sent a comment which I will add here. It truly captures the essence of what I was thinking.

仕方がない (shikata ga nai)

 

Summer Fun

You’ll never know everything about anything, especially something you love. — Julia Child

I truly enjoy summer. Hot, sunny days inspire me. Here is my list of things I am planning to do. Will they all be finished — unlikely. Will I have fun trying — definitely.

• Walk for 45 minutes every morning.
• Transform the balcony to a comfortable living space. – Done
• Eat well.
• Read books for an hour every day.
• Write a professional white paper.
• Share photos and videos.
• 酒を飲む。
• Garden in Niagara on the Lake.
• Take a vacation.
• Develop a free iPad application. (Please suggest something.)

I’ll let y’all know how it goes.

I have been teaching myself elementary video editing. Here’s one of my early very short pieces.

April 24, 2011

Spring Snow

It’s snowing. Spring has arrived in Toronto.

This is my favorite time of year; the one in which it is common to have several seasons in one day. On leaving the house this morning the streets were wet and clouds flew across the sky producing flashes of sunlight and blue sky. A cold wind followed me to the subway platform and was waiting for me a few stops later, now carrying snow.

By mid-afternoon the sun shone again and the temperature was well below freezing.

Everything Changed

I spent the spring of 2010 in Japan. For five short weeks I travelled the Kansai (Osaka) region on trains and on foot. The plan was simple, collect material for blogs and essays to be written later in the year. I filled notebooks with observations of life in central Japan and tried out a few in mail to a friend who encouraged the whole endeavour.

Through the summer I worked on un-posted material, testing style, selecting and editing photos. In early autumn I returned to work and creative things slowed down a little, however, a year later I was ready to publish.

At five in the morning I received a text message from Naoko stating that had been an earthquake and she was okay. Given the frequent nature of earthquakes in our part of the country I knew this was something unusual. Just how unusual, I could not have begun to imagine. Everything changed.

With the new, frightening and still unfolding reality of life in Japan, my witty observations of cherry blossoms and department store sake counters suddenly seemed to belong to a bygone era; they will remain a memory of a happy time and cool spring days. Almost a month later I am still struggling to find words for Japan post-March 11, 2011.

Life: Part 3 (Cont.)

The season is autumn. Morning frost, falling leaves and early sunsets confirm the spectacular summer of 2010 has passed.

After spending the summer learning new skills and considering the future I have returned to life as a computer programmer.  I talked with family, friends, former colleagues and fellow job-seekers and received much varied and valuable advice for which I am very grateful. My new position allows me to be the new kid and wise old sage at the same time.

Traditionally, one thinks of autumn as the last season, but for me it is the beginning of a new phase of life, a time to return to familiar activities and learn new things. I am eager to face the challenges ahead.

Easy and Simple Thai Coconut Ice-Cream from Tes

I always thought there was something magic about ice-cream. I also thought it was impossible to make without complicated procedures and expensive equipment. I now know differently: it is not impossible to make, but the cold, slightly sweet dish of coconut ice-cream I made yesterday afternoon confirms that there is magic in the kitchen. It still does not seem possible that something so delicious could be so simple.

Two days ago I read the recipe Easy and Simple Thai Coconut Ice-Cream on Tes at Home and learned that making coconut ice-cream does not require expensive equipment or ingredients. (Shows how much I know about cooking…) I had all the equipment and ingredients except coconut milk and decided to try it.

Saturday was hot and humid. A perfect day for coconut ice-cream. After boxing I did some reading then went to the supermarket for coconut milk. (Please don’t laugh, trying to be a renaissance man is hard work.) I washed the utensils and followed the instructions in the recipe, stirring the cream several times as it cooled and leaving it overnight to set.

My first taste of the finished product was Sunday afternoon, and I can tell readers that Tes’ recipe produced the finest ice-cream I have ever tasted.

I was hoping to take some classic balled scoops for photographs, however my freezer is set to a very cold temperature and  decided to give up before I broke the container or my wrist or both. Determined to have a photo of my prize I attempted to cover the damage made by the scoop with peanuts and the result can be seen below.

Thanks Tes!

Summer Tomato Salad

It does not get much easier than this:

• Wash and cut slits into a tomato. I prefer the black-green ones but any tomato with rich flavour will do.
• Slice a soft cheese such as bocconcini into wedges and insert into tomato slits.
• Place on a plate with full flavoured greens like arugula and basil. Drizzle a little vinegar .

Preparation time: about two minutes.