Model Citizen

Bullet in your head

2006-03-13T20:52:00.000+09:00

My show at Bullets was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone for coming out to support the local scene. For more info on the show as well as live info and music, please check my web site:

http://www.modelcitizen.info

Next show should be sometime in April so please feel free to check back for details.

Cheers,

MC

Citizen Live

2006-03-06T22:16:00.000+09:00

Model Citizen will be playing live this Friday March 10 at Bullets in Shibuya. Other artists will include nTh Degree, Dave&Ezra, Rio and special guests. For more information on the event and a link to Bullets check the new model citizen web site:

www.modelcitizen.info

I will continue to update this blog with information regarding live events and new releases. Thanks for visiting. You are the reason for music.

Cheers,

MC

Two New Tracks in works

2006-01-09T20:00:00.000+09:00

Model Citizen is currently busy in the studio for the months of January and February. Work has almost been completed on two new tracks slated for a March release if not sooner. The first track will be called Signals and features a hard driving drum and bass line layered with some twisted synths and pads over top. Overall the track has a very hard pro house sound and may be suitable for dance floor activity around 3 am.

MC's second release this year will be a track called Crackers. Mr. Citizen hasn't pulled any punches during the holidahy season. With a relentless baseline and a simple but effective drum beat, Crackers could be the hardest Model Citizen release to date. But why take our word for it. Come check out Model Citizen at his next live show (TBD) probably sometime in February. Sure to be a rocker.

Peace,

Digital Roots

Party Report - Pink Cow

2005-12-04T00:04:00.000+09:00

The first installment of Sononah I was at the Pink Cow Wed Nov. 30. The musical extraveganza featured live beats from Model Citizen and Dave & Ezra - who played a killer analogue effects show. On the decks were nth Degree who brought his special blend of old school hip hop and weirdness samples. Also gracing the pink wheels of steel was Kohei who played a smooth concoction of down tempo house. All in all it was a very groovy evening and good to see the crew out supporting everyone's favourite Shibuya dinner hang out place. Tracy has a wicked bar and the food is very good too.

Thanks to Remy for putting on the event. We can't wait to do it again soon!

Cheers,

M

Model Citizen Live

2005-11-20T03:20:00.000+09:00

Hello again. It has been a while since my last post. Apologies all around. It's been a busy month for Model Citizen with live shows and studio work. Model Citizen is playing a live - Wed Nov. 30 at the Pink Cow in Shibuya. Also on the lineup is nth degree, kohei, dave, ezra and others. Doors open early and MC is on from 8 pm. Come on out and support your local acts. Music will range from techno (MC), house, and hip hop.

Also Model Citizen has released their first DVD live album. The DVD is three short videos of the live show at Enjoy House, Ebisu. For a copy of the DVD (FREE) you can e-mail me and I can mail you a copy.

The new Model Citizen album has been put on hold until probably Spring 2006. The studio is finally complete now I just need to learn how to use it!

No news on the DJ front as I've been too busy with MC stuff. DJing just isn't as fun as mashing it up.

I will try and get another post up - after the show!

Cheers,

MC

Citizen Update

2005-09-27T13:31:00.000+09:00

Model Citizen is still quite busy in the new studio adding finishing touches to its new track "Amoeba Terror". Once complete the track will be posted online. Just working out where.

On a personal note I was in Nagano last weekend for the annual psy trance event "The Gathering". Overall the event was good although it was a little heavy on the heavy metal trance for my tastes. The weather was as expected total crap but what would a music festival in Japan be without a little rain?

Highlights of the weekend were S.U.N. Project, Shanti and Astrix. Disappointments were Skazi, and Infected Mushroom.

Please check back soon for another update on Model Citizen. Looks like there may be some collaborations in the works with other like minded individuals.

Amoeba Terror

2005-09-20T12:12:00.000+09:00

Model Citizen has nearly completed it's brand new single "Amoeba Terror" which was conceived, written and mastered in the brand new Digital Roots Studio. The track will be available for download on http://www.soundispatch.com as soon as we get our act together.

Freakazoid

2005-09-05T07:53:00.000+09:00

Track List

1. The Creation - 1200 MICs
2. Z - Astrix
3. Cities of the Future - Infected Mushroom
4. Nilaya (Melicia remix) - Astral Projection
5. Coolio - Astrix
6. Reggae Song - Infected Musroom
7. Figga Nigga - Safi Connection
8. Third Eye - Tool

Recored Digital Roots Studio, Tokyo, August, 2005

* For a free CD of this mix please e-mail us at happyjapan15@yahoo.com

DJ Arm - Live Mix

2005-09-01T12:54:00.000+09:00

Freakazoid

The much anticipated new mix by DJ Arm has finally been mixed and will be online shortly (as soon as I find a server to upload to). The new mix is a steady flow of pure unadulterated Psy Trance featuring Astrix, 1200 MICs, Infected Musroom, Asrtal Projection, and Safi (see track listing above). Most of these artists will also be performing at Vision Quest's The Gathering http://www.visionquest-tokyo.com this Sept. The mix - Freakazoid - should be online as soon as I can find a place to upload a 100 meg file :)

DJ Arm and Model Citizen update

2005-07-26T12:10:00.000+09:00

The DJ Arm Psy Trance mix has been delayed at least one more week due to technical difficulties. Actually the mix was pretty much completed this week but for reasons beyond anyone's control it was subsequently deleted. DJ Arm hopes to have a new mix completed and uploaded sometime by early next week. We apologize to our fans for the delay.

In other news Model Citizen is currently in the studio working on their second forthcoming album. Two tracks "Microman" and "Auto X" are near completion and should be up on Acidplanet soon. To link to MC's current work online please go to:

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?songs=393323&T=5355

Also if you would like a copy of Model Citizen's first album "Dark Days" in CD format please e-mail us at happyjapan15@yahoo.com or simply leave a comment below. We can deliver you the goods anywhere in Japan and North America.

2005-07-21T09:27:00.000+09:00

DJ Arm will be realeasing his next continuous mix, "Freakazoid" on digital roots, this summer. To celebrate the spirt of psychadelia in Japan, DJ Arm will be mixing up some of the latest in Psy Trance. Artists on the mix will include 1200 MICS, Infected Mushroom, Astrix and Astral Projection. Lot's of Israelis' represented here. Must be something in the water in Tel Aviv because these guys make some kick ass music. Check back later this week for link to the mix!

2005-07-06T01:08:00.000+09:00

Pleae enjoy the next release of Microman on Acidplanet. This one has an extended second half with eerie synths, more deep dark bass and heavy beats. Makes the air all that more sinister.

Dark Days now online!

2005-07-03T17:02:00.000+09:00

Model Citizen Citizen's new album Dark Days is now available on the web. You can listen to Dark Days in its entirety at ACIDplanet:

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?songs=393323&T=5825

Also Model Citizen's brand new single from their forthcoming second album witll be available for listening on the Soundispatch web site thie month. It will be a demo version of Microman with a full length relase due out sometime late summer.

Microman is the new single which will be released on Model Citizen's forthcoming album. The song is a dark journey through space and time. Deep relentless bass with a hard pounding kick make Microman the perfect track for a pre club session with a friend or two.

Microman

2005-07-02T18:53:00.000+09:00

Model Citizen are currently working on their next single soon to be relased on digital roots. Title of the first single will be Microman. A demo is already in prodcution and the final cut should be available for download sometime this summer. Check back here for details on the new track which will also be posted on our new web site due out this month!

Model Citizen - Single Release

2005-07-02T11:39:00.000+09:00

Model Citizen will be releasing its first single this month. The track will either be Switch or Supergate. Fan participation is appreciated. If you would like to vote for one of the tracks please add a quick comment to the comment section. We will make sure your vote is counted. The new track will be featured on the soundispatch web site. You can go there to download the track in mp3 format. Also there are some very cool bands on sounds[atch such as Pfeuti, Missing Man Foundation, Lego Friendly and Fallopian Disco Force.

Click here for all music!
http://www.soundispatch.com

2005-06-30T13:35:00.000+09:00

As was posted earlier I have begun work on the new Model Citizen album. The second full length LP will be due out sometime in the fall of 2005. The concept of the album will evil corporate entities. The album will be ever darker and more trippy than Dark Days. Probably leaning toward more technonish and progressive sounds. Also I would like to include a dark visual element to the new Model Citizen album. Themes will included metallic images such as the one inclulded here. Stand by for more info on the first track which I hope to have on the new web site sometime this summer.

2005-06-30T13:30:00.000+09:00

Model Citizen has begun work on a live video which will posted on the new web site. The video will be most likely be a live performance by Model Citizen performing tracks from their forthcoming debut album. There will also be visuals provided similar to what you are looking at. Also DJ Arm is planning on doing some sort of a live video of one of his sets this summer. Location to be anounced.

2005-06-30T13:27:00.000+09:00

This animation will not be included on the album but it may appear on a future remix version I am contemplating. As you can see the four men dressed in suits are cowering from an evil force above. Dregs like the rest of us. But happy dregs.

2005-06-30T13:08:00.000+09:00

The true innocent criminal. A man we know and love. I am considering including this picture as the back side art for the forthcoming Album Dark Days. Also in other news digital roots has begun sourcing firms for the design of its new interactive web site. The site will feature news, tour info, BBS, photos, mixes by DJ Arm as well as tracks from Model Citizen's debut album. The first single "Dhala Wave" will be ready for download within the next couple of weeks. Please check back for details!

2005-06-28T20:25:00.000+09:00

This picture was taken at Ginkakuji in Kyoto. I am considering using this as the back cover photo for the Model Citizen upcoming debut album Dark Days to be released on Digital Roots Studios.

2005-06-28T20:21:00.000+09:00

This will be the album art for the upcoming debut album Dark Days by Model Citizen. Website, Interviews, Photos, Tour Dates and News coming soon. Please check back soon for updates.

2005-06-19T16:34:00.000+09:00

This is what happens to five normal guys who have been subjected to 12 straight hours of 1970's Bollywood movies.

2005-06-19T16:29:00.000+09:00

Big Buddha in Kamakura. It's seriously one big buddha.

2005-06-19T16:27:00.000+09:00

Great shot of my mom in Kyoto.

2005-06-19T16:26:00.000+09:00

This pic was taken outside of Ryogokan station near Tokyo Sumo arena. These guys are either Sumo wrestlers in training or just two guys who got lost on the way back form the onsen.

2005-06-19T16:23:00.000+09:00

Ahhh, delicious yaki niku with Mom and Bro down in Akasaka. Hmmm I can't describe how much I love yaki niku. t's not like my love for yaki niku is special or anything. My bro loved it when he was visiting. Of course most non-vegetarians will be heavily into fresh grilled beef with tastey special sauce. IAnd of course a nice cold draft beer to wash it all down. Umai!!!

2005-06-19T16:18:00.000+09:00

Here is a nice TV shot of Mr. Asashoryu, Japan's reigning Sumo champion. Mr. Asashoryu has obtained the rank of Ozeki. He just happens to be my favourite whestler not only becasue he's the best (yes I know I am bandwagon) but because he doesn't give a rat's ass about the traditional stuffed kimono rules of the sport. Many people call Asaahoryu a guy who disrespects the sport. But I quite like him. Bit of a revolutionary really. Plus the guy kicks ass. I mean he hasn't lost in over 37 matches. And he he goes up against some pretty kick ass dudes. He's the guy everyone loves to hate. Most people dislike change and revolution type stuff.

2005-06-19T16:11:00.000+09:00

Yellow Banana. The car is very nice and it's not mine.

That's the news, and now sports...

2005-06-19T16:02:00.000+09:00

Well just spent the better part of twenty minutes writing out a blog and it got erased. What a drag man. Anyway it wasn't anything important and probable wasn't fit for publication. Today just hanging around the house. Was going to do nothing today and have pretty much accomplished that. Been thinking quite a bit about the future and what it might hold in store for me. Changes are on the horizon. I can feel it. Stayed tuned for next week's exciting episode of 'what the fuck?'.

Armout

Terrible Lie

2005-05-16T16:44:00.000+09:00

It's been a while since I've posted and although this is not generally a political forum I'd like to write about an interesting documentary I saw last weekend. It's called "The Power of Nightmares" which was written produced and narrated by Adam Curtis and was aired by the BBC in March of this year (2005).

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/video1037.htm

The documentary explores why fear and more particularly the fear of 'terrorism' is a control mechanism for the general public. Curtis seeks out the roots of neo-conservatists in the west and the fundamental-islamists in the east and compares and contrasts the two movements in their respective motives. Curtis makes interesting parallels between the two movements in that that both parties use fear tactics to 'shock' and influence people.

Until recently these shock tactics generally failed to incite the masses and actually backfired in many cases. For example the Islamic extremists in Algeria went on a three year rampage lopping off heads of innocent civilians just because they weren't extremists. Eventually the people revolted and the extremists were hunted down and killed.

The same thing happened to the neo-conservatists is the US when they tried to expose Bill Clinton as an immoral, womanizing cheat. And while they were correct on at least one count they failed to have the President impeached and in fact Clinton's legacy is stronger than ever.

Of Course 911 changed all this and when the towers came down in New York both movements had all the ammo they needed to launch a full scale attack on what were perceived as 'infidels' or 'terrorists' depending on which party you supported.

Bush's entire 2004 election campaign was based on National Security and the ability to protect the American people from the evils of terrorism. The central focus of Bush's argument was that there is a world network of terrorists known as the Al Qaeda who have cells in over 50 countries and are ready to strike at any moment.

The neo-conservatists using the media built up the Al Qaeda network so extensively and so convincingly that it was not long until the 'fear factor' among Western people went through the roof. Everyone was scared out of their minds. Finally the neo-conservatists (as well as the terrorists) had the control they were so desperately seeking.

The reason I like Curtis' "The power of Nightmares" so much is that he does a great job exposing the Al Qaeda network as a total lie. In fact according to Curtis the word Al Qaeda didn't even exist until 2001 when the US justice system needed to name to Bin Laden's merry band of terrorists. The US Courts made up the name Al Qaeda in order to prosecute him for the Nairobi US Embassy bombings. Curtis goes on to defuse the Al Qaeda threat and expose Bin Laden as nothing more than a very bad man with a little cash and good timing.

It is amazing to me how such a big lie can go virtually undetected by western media (IE: CNN, NY Times, Washington Post, USA Today). In fact the media does such a good job of not reporting this lie that one has to wonder who the media is really working for?

In any case the documentary served as a sort of catharsis for me. I woke up the next day knowing that 'yes' there are evil bad people out there who want to do me harm because I am western. They are called Islamic Fundamentalists. And while the 'terroist threat' is indeed real - it is not the massive extensive network of highly trained, highly connected killers that I once perceived through the media's distortion of the situation. I am less freaked out because the majority of the threat that I once perceived - simply does not exist. Sorry to steal a cliché but it's like I've woken up from a bad nightmare. Thank you you Mr. Curtis for opening my eyes - if not fully - enough to see the truth.

Of course the truth doesn't really matter if no one is aware of it...

The day the night began...

2005-04-11T18:54:00.000+09:00

Well well well. Indeed it was another absolutely bodacious weekend. Friday night was a last minute invite to a wine taster at the American Club with some friends from work. Apparently it's oneof the best gaijin wine tasters of the year. Certainly the wine was delicious. Started out drinking Californian and Italian but quickly switched to the French which I find more to my palette.

After a couple of hours of drinking red wine I could feel the effects creeping into my brain and decided it would be a good exit moment. I kindly thanked my hosts and left the premises. Went home and made some ramen and watched a movie with a nice slight wine buzz.

Saturday went to Yoyogi park with friends for some Hanami action. The cherry blossoms were in full effect and the park was absolutely packed with Hanami-ers and Hanami-wanna-bers. Eiji and crew managed to find a decent spot right by the fountain and close to the action. Before I knew it I had downed the six pack I brought with me and craving more...I bought another eight beers at the gate and finished those off before the night was through. Of course I was sharing and as the hours crept on more and more people showed up with more and more booze.

Eventually things got messy and after hanging out by Ken's trance stage for a song or two I left.
Good thing too because I woke up Sunday with a slight hangover. Went back to bed and woke up again just in time to check out Nagisa festival down in Odaiba. It's an all day outdoor music festival. This year featured Carl Craig (Very Good), Ken Ishii (Excellent) and Tsuyoshi (Awesome). The weather was great and because it is Hanami season the vibe was positive. Danced my ass off until nine o'clock and escaped just before the mass crowds.

All in all it was an outstanding weekend although one of these days I will have to dedicate myself to staying sober for more than 24 hours. Although with summer just around the corner it's unlikely...

By the way if you like electronic music this is my favorite web music site. Heaps of awesome house, techno and trance:
http://www.samurai.fm/home/

Searching the jungle naked

2005-04-02T13:49:00.000+09:00

Well I feel absolutely terrible today. Last night went on a booze cruise with everyone from work. Started drinking as soon as we got on the bus to take us to the boat. Of course we eventually ended up in Roppongi. Found myself perched on a bar top with Kevin babbling about nothing - or worse. Can pretty much remember everything including Will getting carted off in an ambulance because Steven jumped on him while playing baskball.

The booze cruise turned into your standard drunken, savage circus. There was a karaoke machine on board which got significant useage as the night wore on and the sake began to flow. Damn Steven, and I were banging back sake shots which is not recommended if you are also drinking shochu & grapefruit plus beer. Mix = bad idea.

Anyway I was wise enough to know my limits. Around 2:30, as I was wandering aimlessly down the main strip of Roppongi ave, I made an impulsive decision and bolted home. Good thing too for I can't imagine my head hurting more than it does today...Ouch.

For a good hangover remedy and general personal hygiene click here:
http://www.soundispatch.com

2005-03-15T08:07:00.000+09:00

Good friends Kerry and Gene chillin in Halifax for Halloween. For his costume I think Kerry just raided his dad's waredrobe from 1975. That's JR in the background. 'Giddy up.

2005-03-15T08:01:00.000+09:00

This is me after what I now call the 'unfortunate incident'. Doctor diagnosed the injury as a Grade 2 Separation of the AC joint. After about a week in s sling the pain has subsided somewhat although the painkillers that the Doctor gave me don't seem to be helping much. One good thing that has come of this is that I've become fairly adept at typing with one hand. Among other things.

this is the end...

2005-03-06T09:19:00.000+09:00

yesterday went up to the mountain for some epic riding. 30 cm of new snow. there was fresh everywhere but the visibility was not good. very cloudy and low light. i was at the top of the mountain alone and dropped into some very nice glades. i was cutting up the sweatest fresh in the trees - when all of a sudden - i dropped off a 10 foot cornace and landed hard on my left shoulder. i didn't see the cornace coming at all and was cruising at a fair speed.

when i landed on my shoulder i heard a sickening crunching sound and loud pop. i knew it was not good. unfortunately i still had to ride half the mountain. there were no ski patrol in site and i was starting to fell like i was going to pass out. after about 30 min. of stop and go i finally made it to the bottom. i managed to drag my ass to the hospital where the doctor took an xray and promptly declared that i had a third degree dislocated shoulder.

i'm now sitting on the couch with my arm in a sling, heavily sedated on codeine. thank god for codeine. oh and johnny too. thank god for johnny...

m

Sunday holdover

2005-02-27T11:12:00.000+09:00

Today chillin on the couch and watching Dear Hunter which is a movie concerning the psychological horrors of war. I've moved into a new apt which is in a fairly residential area in central Tokyo. It's very quiet here on Sundays. I like it. It's nice to chills out.

Japan Snow Country

2005-02-24T18:18:00.000+09:00

Three weeks ago my self and two friends ventured up to Gunma prefecture for a weekend of snowboarding in the Japanese Alps. For centuries the area has been called snow country and it was on this fine weekend that I realized why. We started our journey around 11 pm on Friday night when Dave (my Kiwi co-worker) picked me and Sean (Dave's friend visiting from Auz) up in his brand new Honda Civic. Sweet little car. Four Wheel drive, snow tires and a pretty decent sound system to boot.

We reached the Gunma area by about 1 am and as soon as we had climbed into the mountain region of snow country - it was snowing. It was amazing. Like we had passed through an invisible time warp from land of no snow to land of snow plenty. By the time we hit the small sleepy little town of Minakami it was snowing full on and there was snow everywhere. Cars that had probably only been sitting in their place for a day had been completely covered. The last time I snow falling like this was in Whistler 2001 which was basically the storm of the Century. Had we hit the storm of the century for Japan 2005?

Any logical reasonable man would probably have stopped for the night in Minakami in one of the nice comfortable Pensions in the area. But crazy Dave kept on trucking up that mountain and eventually we found ourselves driving straight up Tenjindaira Mt. road. The snow was just getting heavier and after about 30 min. there was serious accumulation on the road. I mean the plows had probably been by about 3 hrs. earlier but you would never had known it because there was at least 20 cm of fresh on the road.

We were probably about three km from our destination which was actually the base of Tenjidaira ski resort. Dave knew of a climbers hut that we were going to camp in for the night. Sounded fun at the time but now I wasn't so sure. In fact after coming through a tunnel, and around a bend we plowed into 25 cm at least of fresh snow - on the road. By this time we were literally snow plowing up the mountain. Man I have to give serious praise to that little Honda Civic because it was not stopping. The snow was literally face shooting over the hood of our car. It was like we were riding the powder up a mountain in a 4*4 Civic.

We came around another bend and there was avalanche activity all over the place. Little snow slides were evident on the side of the road but we were so deep in the snow by now that we had not choice. If we stopped we were dead. So Dave hammered the accelerator and we just kept going. I was starting to lose faith and about 500 m from the base parking lot we started to spin out. Luckily as we approached the parking lot entrance we spun the right way and the car magically maneuvered back onto the road and into the lot.

By the time we actually entered the resort area it was total white out. There was a street lamp in the distance so Dave just gunned it and headed straight for the light. About 25 m from the light we stopped dead in about 30 cm (knee deep) of snow. We stuck, But we had made it.
The next day we woke up headed up the hill and rode the sickest, freshest snow of my life. We were neck deep in 70 cm of new snow and had over the face fresh all day. It was heaven. And we had made it.

God bless Snow Country

One thing we don't know

2005-01-10T11:43:00.000+09:00

Why do we always have to listen?

Local transport, Hanoi

Sesame Street

2005-01-10T11:41:00.002+09:00

The reflection of temple is seen by all

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

One thing about this place is you can get anything for a dollar. Water, Juice, hats, tee shirts, beer. Anything for a dollar. A little girl we met by the pond even offered my girlfriend her baby sister for a dollar.

2005-01-10T11:41:00.001+09:00

Old School Boats, Halong Bay

2005-01-10T11:41:00.000+09:00

A Little guy, Mui Ne

2005-01-10T11:40:00.002+09:00

White Sand Dunes, Mui Ne

2005-01-10T11:40:00.001+09:00

Jail Kids, Mui Ne

2005-01-10T11:40:00.000+09:00

The Brady Bunch, Hue

2005-01-10T11:39:00.000+09:00

Tu Doc, Hue

Mean Streets

2004-12-19T19:46:00.000+09:00

Studio Alta, Shinjuku
2003/07/02

Back alley blues

2004-12-19T19:45:00.000+09:00

Ikebukuro, East
2003/07/01

Blade Runner

2004-12-19T19:43:00.000+09:00

Shinjuku,
2003/06/28

Always on the run.

2004-12-19T19:41:00.000+09:00

Hangin' with Vinnie in The Ginza.
2003/06/24

Alien Project

2004-12-19T19:34:00.000+09:00

Kabukicho, Shinjuku,
2003/06/16

2004-12-19T19:32:00.000+09:00

2003/06/16

2004-12-19T19:30:00.000+09:00

2003/06

The freaks come out at night

2004-12-19T18:30:00.000+09:00

Tobu Nerima Station, Itabashi-ku.
2003/08/16

One thing you gotta love about Japan is the train system. Within Tokyo alone there are over 30 different train lines. The busiest station in the world is Shinjuku station which capacitates over two million people a day. It's very easy to get lost there.

When I first came to Japan I went to Shinjuku station to meet a friend. I went out the wrong exit and ended up at the south side of the station. It took me over thirty minutes to walk around the station to meet my friend.

If you know where you are going, you can find a very cool back alley called Yaki tori lane. Take a trip back to the old school and check out the long thin alley filled with grilled chicken stands. At dinner time the place mostly fills up with beer starved salary men. The air is filled with the sweet smell of yaki tori. You can eat grilled meat, vegetables and draft beer for relatively cheap. And the atmosphere is of course quite festive.

Delicious again Peter

The end of the beginning.

2004-12-19T18:27:00.000+09:00

The air is filled with electrons.

Common man...smile. Taken around the time of the dinosaur...

Paranoid Androids...

2004-12-19T18:25:00.000+09:00

Tom Yorke of radiohead, live, Chiba Marine Stadium, Chiba, Aug. 2003 (screen shot)

What can you say? It was very nice.

The sea of trees

2004-12-17T09:02:00.000+09:00

The Aokigahara woods at the foot of Mount Fuji, 2003/08

"Aokigahara, or more specifically, Jukai, is probably one of the most famous suicide spots in Japan. The magnetic iron ores from past eruprions of Mt. Fuji disrupt cellphones, GPS equipment and compasses. The porous soil absorbs moisture before it can from any rivers or streams that might serve as landmarkers, and creates a thick mist in the morning, or when ground/air temperature and humidity varies. It is also a famous tourist attraction, and viewing point of the Mt. Fuji lakes. Suiciders often blend in group tours or take a bus to the nearest entry point. At the entrance of the hiking trail there is a sign asking people to not wander off the trail as you can easily get lost(the above mentioned reasons). On a separate sign is a message saying "life is invaluable, think about your family and loved ones before you act"

- conqueror of Uranus
2002

2004-12-17T08:48:00.000+09:00

This is a great intersection for road hockey. If it wern't for all the people!

2004-12-17T08:46:00.000+09:00

Another great example of 'make work' projects in Tokyo. As you can see it takes at least five able bodied men to change this poster.

2004-12-10T08:40:00.000+09:00

It's the MC Y'all!

Here we have a nice young girl schlepping the now infamous art of Karaoke. It is widely known that Karaoke began in Japan and is now enjoyed by Millions of untalented crooners world wide. But until I came here I had no idea how deep the rabbit hole goes. Karaoke is sewn into the very fabric of Japanese culture. For example did you know in Tokyo there are entire buildings with nothing but Karaoke? Some of them ten stories high!

And on Friday night these places turn into something like a bad American Idol tryout session. Hamasaki and SMAP (Japanese pop stars) wanna-be's singing their hearts out while eating fried chicken cartilage and sucking down cheap Shochu (cheep Japanese beer). I too have been a victim to the Karaoke. Many a night I have spent in Karaoke bars getting drunk and trying to impress my friends with my killer Bon Jovi chops. If anyone has heard me sing before they know that me, booze and a micropone is a bad idea. But this is what the evil spell of Karaoke can do to a person. It's not my fault I can't sing, it's the Karaoke!

2004-12-10T08:16:00.000+09:00

Motorcycles in Tokyo are a very cheap, fast and convenient way to get around Tokyo. As you can imagine the roads in Tokyo (like any big city) are absolutely insane and riding a motorcycle is not for the faint of heart. Even riding the taxis can be an experience if your driver is one of those bitter old ex-salary men who didn't make the cut when the bubble burst and now he takes his frustrations out on his passengers and other drivers who dare to cut him off.

2004-12-10T08:10:00.000+09:00

The acid had just kicked in when the sky turned a pale blue rose...

2004-12-09T09:07:00.000+09:00

Doctor we have a pulse!

What has this man just done?!?

2004-12-09T09:02:00.000+09:00

'Cos play - as its called in Japan - is the art of dressing up in fetish type costumes, hanging out with other like-minded indivuduals near the park, and having your picture taken by complete strangers. This was taken outside Harajuku station.

2004-12-09T08:50:00.000+09:00

Toxicity of the city...
I think I have it bad when really its the good citizens of Shibuya who suffer much worse than I. Anyone who lives with in a one kilometer radius of Shibuya station is subject to nightly construction projects, Did you know in Tokyo they can get permits to do 24 hr. construction? Could you imagine trying to sleep with this kind of a project going on outside your door. This particular construction project at the East exit of Shibuya station has been going on the whole time I've been in Japan (two years). I'm not really sure what the they are doing expect to making alot of noise, spending tax payers dollars and totally dissrupting the flow of traffic. As you can see there is a long line of single lane traffic heading North. This picture was taken at 3 am.

2004-12-08T08:25:00.000+09:00

Peter surrounded by mad shoppers in Shibuya. I often wonder what would happen if these guys forgot to pay their elecricity bill. Surely nothing less than riots?

2004-12-08T08:22:00.000+09:00

A friend of mine decided to take LSD last weekend. This is what he made.

2004-12-08T08:20:00.000+09:00

Two girls I met recently at an event. They were protesting the war in Iraq.

There goes the neighbourhood.

2004-12-08T08:01:00.000+09:00

Recently I've been waking up to the soothing sounds of - not one but three - industrial cranes digging up concrete in the lot next door to me. And it looks like they will then be building a massive condo complex so more people can move to this wonderful neighbourhood. It's not like I'm terribly bothered by the head-pounding, high decible noise. It's just that I wish they could start a little earlier. I mean seriously, 7 am in the morning is much too late to start construction. In the winter in Japan the sun comes up at 5:30 in the morning. So really these guys are just being lazy. I may have a word with the head project manager and see if he can wake up the entire neighbourhood a little earlier.

And another thing. These guys are only working from Monday to Saturday. They take Sundays off! Can you believe the laziness?

2004-12-08T08:00:00.000+09:00

Mom at the grand opening of "Who stole my Shoe", location: Small town Ontario. Said Mom, "Overall it was a great theatrical performance. I love the part where all the actors get knocked out by a large falling shoe."

2004-12-08T00:24:00.000+09:00

I have never seen George this drunk in my whole life..but man was he on fire.

2004-12-08T00:12:00.000+09:00

Cheesey guy who thinks he's cool sitting under a buddha...

Me mates hanging at Metamorphose, a Japanese Music Festival

2004-12-08T00:09:00.000+09:00

Unhappy Campers

2004-12-08T00:07:00.000+09:00

Organized Chaos

2004-12-08T00:01:00.000+09:00

Dad, Sean and me

Harribut and Whiskey

2004-12-07T22:57:00.000+09:00

The average train commute in Tokyo is approximately one hour. And your average salary man will begin his daily commute home at around 10 pm after quaffing a few pints of nama (draft) beer at the local Izakaya - or even a Hostess bar should he feel in the mood. One thing that has always fascinated about coporate culture in Japan is how much time your average salary man spends either in the office, in the bar, or on the train.

I estimate that your average salary man spends at least 70% of his conscious weekday life either in the office, in the bar or on the train. This may seem like an absolutley insane proposition to most. But I guess when you live in a pint sized shoe box on the outskirts of a Saitama subburb and it takes you at least an hour to get home after you've put in a 12 hour work day...you probably need a beer or two with your pals just to numb the pain. Man I can't imagine such a life.

Hey wait a sec...I just took the train home. Before that I was at the bar having a beer or two with my work mates. And before that I was in the office for a long time.

Oh lord...what have I become...?

Me speak no English...

2004-12-07T21:23:00.000+09:00

Goodday, This is my first post and thus a new chapter in personal blogging history begins. I'm into music. I play guitar and used to be in a few bands in high school and University. I don't play in a band anymore but I still pick up the 'ole six string now and then. I used to be heavily into hard rock and heavy metal. In high school it was all Iron Maiden, Sabbath and Metallica. In University I graduated to the sounds of more progressive metal such as tool and all the Seattle grunge bands that are either dead (literally) or have broken up an deformed new bands. Now I'm more into electronic music with a tendency towards techno and progressive house. I've seen many a DJ during my time in Vancouver (where I lived for five years ) and Tokyo. Lately I went to see John Digweed at Tokyo's famous http://www.ageha.com. I found his show was very average. Like he was trying too hard or something. Anyway besides music I enjoy reading and playing tennis. Lately I haven't read too many books as I've been studying for the Japanese Proficiency exam. I've pretty much convinced myself that I've failed. All you need is a lousy 60% and I cannot confidently say that I did that. The weird thing about this test is you can only write it once a year so if you fail (which I surely have) you need to wait another 12 months to write the damn things again. In regard to me as a person: well let's just say that I'm not what you would call "high maintenance". That is unless a deal is falling through at work. Anything that directly affects my personal revenue can make me very high maintenance.

Nights at light

2004-12-07T21:10:00.000+09:00

I'm sitting in my cubicle and it's 9:30 pm on a Tuesday evening. Am I a loser or what. I work on the 31st floor of an office tower in downtown Tokyo. Occasionally at night - when everyone has left the office - I like to turn off the lights off and gaze off into the neon night. Tokyo really is an amazing city at night. Tokyo Tower is just to the right of my office and beyond that is rainbow bridge which will take you past one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world (the largest is in England I heard) , through Odaiba (a shopper's paradise) and on into the land of Chiba. Chiba is where Tokyo Disneyland is strategically located to lure all the Genki young Japanese girls who would like nothing better than to spend their hard earned money on a perfectly useless Mickey Mouse doll. I have yet to go to Disneyland but I've heard it's nothing but a bunch of full grown single women wandering aimlessly from ride to rise.

Come to think of it...doesn't sound too bad really...

digital roots

2004-12-07T20:25:00.000+09:00

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