The past week in pics…
23/365: July 28. Sandi at a little Thai restaurant in Centre Gai, Shibuya. She is clutching the cracked pepper she pulled from her kitchen to give me. On this day, she and the family officially moved out of their apartment of the past 2 years, and into the landmark Tower Hotel for their last 3 days in japan. After dinner, we moseyed on down to the 300 yen bar and met with Dr Dave, Frederik (moving to Singapore to live the same day as Sandi & Jeff leave) and Nordine (who had tried to straight perm his hair that day with disastrous consequences and was forced to wear a black kit cap, turning him into a dodgy stevedore) and pretended we were in a seedy underground Parisienne basement bar rather than a seedy Tokyo bar, as the Frenchmen at our table bantered in French, English and Japanese. Ah, so multicultural. Oooh la la.
24/365: July 29. Let’s play a guessing game. What is this a photo of?
25/365: July 30. I was left by myself on the platform at Yokohama to head far far north after the final final final last night sayonara dinner for Sandi, Jeff, Max and Dexter in Yokohama . The rest of the crew headed south. This was good-bye. Actually, took a ton of hilarious pictures this night and will be sharing them with you all some time soon… A lovely night. And now they are gone. Sandi made us promise that we will come visit them in Seattle one day. I’d like to honour that promise. I’ve met some great Seattlers since living in Tokyo.
26/365: July 31. The next event for Tiger Music is next Tuesday and things are getting pretty frantic. I had an afternoon meeting with the management at Tableaux lounge for the event after next (August 18: Biz Nite). They are such awesome people, such a pleasure to deal with after the dubious quality of the management at the other venue we are forced to use next Tuesday. Anyway, the meeting went well and the relationship there is set in booking stone for the coming year, which is a seriously great thing. I love this job. And I love this room. I snuck this picture at Ryota-san was making me a coffee. Gorgeous, isn’t it!
27/365: August 1. Friday night in the big city. At home, having a quiet night. This is my special things shrine. When I need downtime, I put on some music, turn on the faerie lights, light some candles and incense and sit on my futon in front of this and try to shut off my brain chatter and be still and recharge. It’s hard. Sometimes I chat to Mum and Dad. Sometimes they answer. But mostly they stay quiet. As they should, I guess.
Technorati Tags: a photo a day, friends, Japan, Photography, Tokyo
Us 3
This is the reason things have been mighty quiet around the blog. My dear friends Adrian and Jackie have been visiting for almost 2 weeks. Our feet barely touched the ground the entire time. My kidney needs a serious detox and my mind needs some quiet time. Just wanted to let you know that all is awesome, and that I’ll be slowly easing back into photography and blogging again shortly, once I’ve done all the necessary catching up with all things mundane.
Knock knock!
Elissa, Fraser, Darcy, Evie and my brother David in front of my fridge (I ran out of polaroid film)
me, Christian and Yuiko heading off on the birthday adventure. At this point, I had no idea where we were going and who was coming….
The view from the 25th floor of Oakwood serviced apartments where my family stayed.
My buddies Sekiden playing in Tokyo
In Golden Gai
Knock knock!
Who’s there?
I’p.
I’p who? (I poo)?
Oh, you stink!
(guaranteed to produce peals of giggles from small children – try it some time!)
Hello there strangers! Coming to you live from the foothills of the Atherton Tablelands out the back of Port Douglas, North Queensland, Australia. The sun is starting to set over the mountains, casting a lovely light over everything, and the late afternoon cool is setting in. There is a cup of tea next to me, a fan overhead and a banana cake in the oven sending some mmmmm divine smells into the hills. Life has been dizzily hectic, to say the least, but I’m going to try to be as methodical as possible and make a couple of posts outlining (briefly) what’s been happening in my world since my brothers family left Japan. Mostly in pictures….
Going to start with a few pics from the birthday week, and send you to the flickr birthday album I have finally finished.
I must make special mention of the lovely gentleman in Georgia, USA, who sent me (via Amazon) the magnificent “A Photographers Life” – a coffee table photo book by Annie Leibowitz for the dual birthday (me and frangipani). Such a great book and an amazing gift. Seeing as Brian and I have never actually met, I was particularly touched (cried and danced at the same time) by his generosity and was convinced further that what goes around, comes around. To be honest, the extraordinary events around the time of my birthday happened in just the nick of time. I was almost out of hope and faith in humanity. But then the great big hot pot of love got served up and now I have a full belly of goodness.
Thanks again to everyone involved.
The eagle has flown
Phew. Think I’m gonna sleep for a week. The eagle (the surprise visitors ie my brothers family) has flown and I actually went home early last night sober and had tim-tams, vegemite toast and tea for dinner. What an amazing week it’s been. Hectic, frenetic, fabulous, drunken, laughter-filled, adventure-filled, crazy and utterly wonderful. Think I wanna turn 40 every year, it’s so much fun!
Thanks to everyone who helped organise and/or participated in the celebrations!
I’ve been going through the zillion photos and started editing, but it’ll take a while. Here are a few from yesterday – my families last day. More soon.
Halloween…
So much news, it’s too daunting to even attempt an update at 11.30 on a school night. Promise a big long post on the weekend when things – maybe – slow down a tad. In the mean time, here are some pics from Saturday’s awesome Halloween party at Sandi & Jeff’s place.
I know I’m way behind on my emails, I apologise and will try to tackle the inbox mountain over the next few days. Things have been crazy busy and very interesting in my little world. More news soon. Adieu.
Araku: a bar review continued….
The Ashman
Look for the plush red wall carpet
Lovely Luke
Ace Trace
Keisuke likes Nirvana…
Araku continues to be one of my favourite places to drink in Shinjuku….
On the last evening of Evette’s holiday (wow – has it really been 2 weeks since then?…), I took Justin, Evette and Fuku to Golden Gai for a night out. Of course, we had to visit Araku – Tracey, Ash and Richards new-ish bar. Not only fabbo service with a cheeky grin and great music, but also the only place in Tokyo that offers vegemite toast, meat pies and a big range of Australian wines. Now, I’m not one of those painfully patriotic wankers bearing a tee-shirt proclaiming: ‚ÄúAustralia, love it or leave it‚Äù but I have to say, it’s quite heart warming to snack on vegemite toast in the middle of Shinjuku on a Friday night.
Anyway, just around the corner from Araku there’s a great Korean place. Justin ate tongue for the first time, after much fanfare and carry-on beforehand. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. It was a great night and a nice way for Evette to finish off her trip. Special thanks to Tracey for the round on the house. It’s those kinds of thoughtful, little gestures that really count, isn’t it. It’s not often you get free stuff in Tokyo. So folks, do yourself a favor and visit this lovely little corner of Australia buried deep in Golden Gai. Tell ‘em I sent ya, help me get another cheap night out… he he. (sorry, afternoon wines make me cheeky…)
Technorati Tags: flickr, friends, japan, portraits, araku, shinjuku, sigma17-70mm, tokyo
In a karaoke box in Shibuya on Saturday night…
More in a karaoke box in Shibuya on Saturday at Flickr….
Technorati Tags: friends, funny, japan, parties, karaoke, shibuya, tokyo
A night out at the Tokyo Blue Note Club
On Tuesday afternoon I got an email from my friend Lisa asking me if I was interested in going to the Blue Note to see a band called the SF Jazz Collective. She is friends with Eric Harland, the drummer, and he was giving her 2 guest passes. Kinda a big deal at the Blue Note, where tickets are usually around ¥9 Р10 000 ($90 Р100). Always up for an adventure, I said yes, despite my disdain for over-priced, uptight, unfriendly, stuffy, pretentious venues and their clientele, and for the cliquey Jazz world in general [hmmm, does that make me a snob in reverse?]. I figured these guys would probably be pretty good, and I needed a dose of something western.
They were great. They played their own individually composed pieces, based on/inspired by Thelonious Monk, and it was some very cool, kick ass jazz. The drink prices weren’t as scary as I’d expected (I paid around ¬•800 for a glass of house white), and the sound was excellent. Afterwards, we went drinking with Eric, his cousin – the trombonist Andre and the bassist, Matt (A NZer) at the Blue Note and then some other jazz venue nearby called Body and Soul.
The Mama-san there fell over herself to provide the guys free booze and food and managed to not look at me or Lisa once, and the other J-women who joined us there were kinda the same – interested only in very loud and blatant self-promotion and flirting with the hot band dudes. One was a kind of jazz promoter and the other an aspiring singer. Neither of them could take their eyes off Eric. It was funny, and was oh, so eerily familiar [life before Japan]. I left that place after one beer and made my way to the last train, and then got a phone call from Andre, Eric and Matt (via Lisa) asking me to come back and hang out coz “I was so nice‚Äù. I declined. But it was nice to hear, since they were such nice fella’s themselves. I couldn’t have coped with any more of the fawning they were being subjected to.
What is it about Jazz dudes that they always have to shave their heads and grow goatee’s? The entire band, except for Matt the bassist and the female pianist, had shaved heads…
A fun, interesting night indeed.
Opening night party pics and sundry items…
The opening night party was a hoot. Thanks to everyone who came, and especially to Tyler, Yuta and Lisa for helping me hang the photos – and continuing to do so after I left to go teach a class for an hour and a half… (doh!). I just made a new Flickr album with a bunch of happy snaps and polaroids from the mOnOchrOmic opening party. Go check it out.
Anyway, as for the exhibition itself, so far, so good. Sold 5 prints (3 to strangers), had 2 frames drop off the walls and get damaged (*sigh) and made a bunch of new friends. Mikorin (the owner of the nomiya where I’m exhibiting) has been amazing, she’s such a thoughtful woman, I’m fortunate to be able to count her as a friend.
The past 10 days or so have been so crazily busy, I feel quite dazed now, and I’m kinda worried that there’s no chance on the horizon for some down time. The only day I have some free time is Thursday, and I have to go back to the immigration office to pick up my new visa on that day. Really hope they found it in their stingy hearts to give me a 3 year visa this time, I’m heartily sick of the annual hassle. Hope I don’t melt down any time soon….
If you live in Tokyo, please do try to come down and take a look at the exhibition. It was a lot of work and I’m quite proud of it. I would be honoured if you made the trek to pink gai in Kichijoji to check it out.
Technorati Tags: flickr, friends, japan, kichijoji, parties, tokyo, toycameras
New Years Eve 2006-7
Japan is usually a pretty boring place to be for NYE – it’s got a more Christmas vibe, kinda solemn – people go to the local temples to pray and generally hang out with family, eating Osechi (special New Years food) and watching TV. I spent last NYE at home with Tyler, Jamie & Eun-Yeung sheltering from the bitter cold.
This year was quite different (for a start it is much warmer this year…) – wigs, soba noodles (for long life), champers, disco and lots of company. I took my guests from Australia, James and Sean, down to my fave Kichijoji Restaurant, The Peppermint Cafe, for their countdown party – and had warned them not to expect too much in terms of western style NYE madness. We were all pleasantly surprised… It was an awesome night, full of mayhem and mischief. There are more photos but I’m sorry – I have to hide them away for a very rainy day far away…. where the grandkids will never find them….
What is it about wigs and alternate identities anyway?….
The above photo features a good friend – the very excellent and eccentric Mikorin.
Silly season greetings
Merry Christmas from me, and the sexy santa ladyboys Haku and Mat-sun!
Apologies for the radio silence. Been drunk for a couple of weeks it seems. Friends visiting from home, parties to go to, sightseeing to do, gigs to go to, tattoo’s to get. When things settle down a little next week, I promise an abundance of posts and photos – including a video and heaps of pics from the last ever ever ever Arab Strap show in the world. Oh what a night.
On a more serious note, I wanna wish you all a lovely Christmas season and of course, a fantastic 2007. I’ve had a great year and am looking forward to heading into the new year the happiest I’ve been in yonks. Thanks to my supportive family, in particular my incredible brother, David – who is ALWAYS there for me, my wonderful friends both here in Japan and back in Australia, all my colleagues and students here in Tokyo and to you – dear readers, for making my life the excellent thing that it has become.
PS: just uploaded a heap of pics to my flickr page, including some from the Arab Strap show.
A beautiful part of the world
It’s been indescribably beautiful in my part of the world recently. The Autumn colours have really kicked in and the weather has been magnificent with blue sky days and relatively warm days. I have started editing some pics from Inokashira Koen – taken especially for Uncle Don, they will be landing in the 2006 Autumn Flickr Set over the coming days.
You can also see some silly social party pics from my B-day week shenanigans at Flickr too.
Still having email problems – please use martinecotton@gmail.com for any emails.
Technorati Tags: flickr, inokashirakoen, japan, kichijoji, photography, tokyo
Just some people
This utterly fabulous wench is my flatmate, Charlene. We’ve started going on weekly dinner/drinkin’ dates because if we didn’t do that we’d almost never see each other.
And this fabulous wench is yours truly. I promised Charlene that if I posted that pic of her that I would put up the one she took of me too.
Kat and Darin. The local crew. They live 10 minutes bike ride away. We drink way too much beer together which is quite fun. They are married and are utterly devoted to their 2 guinea pigs. Oh, and their beer. Oh, and their park.
Kat, Jenn and Jo – all members of the Tokyo Stitch and Bitch. This was for a special knitty calendar photoshoot yesterday. Lots of fun had by all.
Tyler just got back from his bro’s wedding in the States. We had a coffee at Starbucks last week.
Sarah. Yes, the hanami bride! This is at the Shinjuku Eye, near the west exit of the station.
The gorgeous Vivien in Harmonika Yokocho, Kichijoji one day last week.
Joanna. The most photogenic person I’ve ever met! This photo was taken in a fishy alley in Harmonika Yokocho, Kichijoji.
Christian and Yuiko. Christian is my best friend here. We’re from the same home town, and used to work at the Zoo together, back in Brisbane. That makes for a pretty special bond… We went to the Earth Festival in Yoyogi yesterday after the knitters shoot.
Technorati Tags: friends, japan, kichijoji, photography, portraits, streets
About last night….
Shimokitazawa. World cup. Australia vs Japan. Approximately 6 (fairly vocal) Australians. A small handful of Europeans and Nth Americans – all cheering Japan and some actually booing Australia in an early stage of the game [that was pretty weird]. At least 50 Japanese, many wearing Samurai Blue jerseys and with flags painted on their cheeks. Lots of beer. Lots of smoke. No air. Lots of boisterous bantering and fever-pitched anticipation.
And then it happens…..
Japan scores and things go very punk rock for a while with crowd surfing and beer flying through the air and pained Australians groaning….
Tim, in typical punk rock pimp style, decides to head to the bar just as Australia scores their first goal of the evening…. captured here in a lone stance of joy….
Look, we found a Gimmie. That was him leading the shithead chant when that Australian fella pushed the Japanese fella over whilst in mid-air. Not surprised really.
Today was hard and not just because of the endless (urasai!) talk of the game (yabbai yo! [it was terrible] mukatsuku yo! [I'm really pissed off]) all through the school all frikken day but also the post-one-too-many beers at a way-too-smoky party fragility.
Angel Evie
Would you just look at this magnificent creature. She is the happiest baby I ever did meet. Doesn’t she have the most infectious smile! She’s beautiful and I love her muchly. She turns one year old today. Her name is Evie and she is my god daughter and niece. Happy birthday darlin’ girl. Wish I could be with you.
Saturday night in Shinjuku
Last Saturday night we went into Shinjuku to one of my favourite restaurants, Asia De Cushion for a typically fantastic dinner, followed by a bit of a crawl through Golden Gai where we found a great little place called Lonely with room for 6 customers at a squeeze, just right for us. The staff were friendly and sports mad, with sports memorabilia everywhere alongside old newspaper and magazine ads featuring old performers. After we left and spied a gaudy shemale sitting smoking at a bar, Dave thought it would be funny to open every door of every bar as we walked past. *sigh. I had to chuckle.
The picture above is of Christian and Dave complaining about the no smoking policy at Lonely (a feckin’ great idea). Be warned, this post is very photo heavy.
Kochira wa Ototo desu
This is my brother David, from the small town of Port Douglas, after an 8 hour flight, a one hour wait through customs at Narita airport, a bit over an hour on the Narita express… and BAM! 1 minute into his first Tokyo sardine can train ride (The Chuo). See the fear? he he he, I cracked up solidly for a minute. Am I a wicked sister?
Aureole & Q
My dear friend and old roommate, Aureole, arrived in Tokyo today enroute from Europe to Australia. She brought her significant other, Q, with her – she hooked up with him after I left Australia, so today was our first meeting. I like him a lot and they are really happy together. Nice. They’ve been living and working in Europe for the past year – mostly Southern Italy, twas good to hear their tales. I took them to Iseya, Kichijoji’s famous old Izakaya and yakitori restaurant. My friend Kat joined us. And there we were – 4 Brizzy kids, drinkin’ beer and telling home-town stories and sharing tales of adventures in foreign lands…
Mirko and Pete in the Tokyo Hot Seat
My friends Mirko and Pete left Tokyo today to return to Brisbane, after a supersonic 10 day whirlwind holiday.
Welcome little Hannah
My bestest friend in the whole wide world Jackie with her daughters Tallulah and the brand new Hannah. All is well. Congratulations darlin’.
Sweet serenades
Last Saturday night I caught up with some of my old friends from Yamanashi (where I used to live) at Nick and Chi’s wedding party in Shibuya. It was a great night and we were serenaded with a couple of numbers by the happy couple.
OK, last entry for the day, I promise. Off to see Mogwai DJ at UNIT in Daikanyama, along with live shows by a bunch of bands on their label, Rock Action. Have an insanely busy work schedule this week (so whats new?), so I won’t be posting again for a while. Unless tonight is really amazing…. which is highly likely since it’s my fave style of music.
