A kick-ass pop rock band, The Suzan, performed at Kung-fu Necktie, on Wednesday night, Dec.12. Super fun band to go see a live for. Their lovely J-gal high-energy & cool sound will lift you up a notch, or two. Must check them out. 

To learn more about The Suzan, watch the trailer of "The First Step", a documentary film about The Suzan, directed by Mike Nogami.
  

Kazuyo Katsuma, an economic analyst and a professor at Chuo University business school, gave a lecture at Japan Society. The discussion was highlighted on Japan's critical issues, such as deflation, declining birth rates, and gender inequality. Ms. Katsuma explained how these three issues are intertwined together, illustrated by some eye-opening statistics. 

Here's one report which shocked me the most, and at the same time, reminded me partially why I left my country over 15 years ago. It's a disappointment to find out that certain situation hasn't been improved for over decades, or in some case, getting even worse.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2012, Japan ranks 101st in global gender equality, of all 135 countries surveyed. The worst among nearby countries such as China (69), Mongolia (44), Australia (25), or New Zealand (6). FYI, the United States ranks 22nd. - For further reading, visit http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121025a4.html

A weekend foliage getaway/ pre-halloween rehearsal / double anniversary trip to  mountainside of Vermont. Packed with wigs and boom box, marching up the mountain on freezing late afternoon.  Shots of Corralejo kept us warm.  

​Master photographer Eikoh Hosoe gave a lecture at Japan Society.  He told episodes and process of working with other artists such as an author Yukio Mishima, and butoh dance founder Tatsumi Hijikata. Mr. Hosoe was fluent in English, and audience enjoyed mingling with him at the reception.

Jake and Coda visited NYC for the first time from Connecticut, taken by their master, Matt.
Matt, who is a certified dog trainer, showed the boys how to roll in the city.  
They both behaved like a gentleman.  

Photographer Mike Nogami with his son Yohei, in Bushwick brooklyn, shooting b-roll for his upcoming documentary film project about a Japanese girl band "The Suzan". Nogami has documented a folk rock band, "Happy End" (はっぴいえんど）, one of the most influential bands in Japanese music history from late 60's to early 70's. Today, we can spot Nogami among young talents the same way as a generation ago.

An weekend visit to sculptor, Ken Hiratsuka's studio in Andes, New York, about 4 hours north of NYC.  Accompanied with his fellow sculptors, Daisuke Kiyomiya and Akihiro Ito.  Beautiful life style was there.

Alexis Francesca Russo is the survivor of a serious bike accident in Brooklyn, which left her with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).  The picture was taken at her celebration of the one year anniversary of the accident.

A casual Friday afternoon beach trip to Robert Moses State park, which is the west end of Fire Island.  
It was almost scary how warm the water was, couldn't stop thinking of the climate change.
Confirmed idea is that we may as well enjoy the ocean while we can.
Wanting to go back one more time to feel that warm wave before it gets cold.

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, a hundred-year old doctor gave a lecture at Japan Society.

Here are some of his quotes, which spoke to me.

"History repeats."
"Have a courage to go against the flow."
"Give a life to your time, your time will be alive."
"Don't eat too much if you want to live longer."

I admit, it is quite convincing when you hear them from a sharp-minded hundred-years old man.
To him, my life has just been warmed up.

A photo shoot for the launch party of "Four Stories", a short film competition, hosted by Intel, W Hotels, Vice, and director Roman Coppola, at W Hotel downtown, New York. 

Starting Aug.14th through Aug. 30, filmmakers can visit intel.com/fourstories to upload their original screenplays – inspired by the highly mobile, 24/7 nature of travel – for the chance to see their idea come to life on the big screen.Three winning screenplays will be selected from a global pool of submissions by an exclusive panel of industry leaders, including Roman Coppola (The Directors Bureau), Michaelangelo L’Acqua (W Hotels global music director), Deborah Conrad (chief marketing officer at Intel), Eddy Moretti (executive producer and creative director at VICE), Michael Pitt (actor), Jeff Baena (screenwriter), Chloe Sevigny (actress), PJ Ransone (actor) and Blake Whitman (vice president of creative development at Vimeo) and Danny Gabai (agent, motion pictures for William Morris Endeavor).

My second-time sea fishing was painful, yet rewarding by the end.

After experiencing major sea sickness from stormy weather, I was able to catch a handful amount of fish. 
Altogether with Shu, a neighbor Astorian hommie, who took me to the trip, we caught over 15 fish. 
Special thank to Mr. Savy, a local fisherman who was fishing right next to me.

"Pay attention!"  I was constantly reminded by Mr. Savy, a Cambodia-born local fisherman, who is also a green-beret Veteran.
"Pay attention!" The word kept ringing in my ear till the following day. 
I could picture him yelling at other soldiers in the middle of battle field about half a century ago. 

Anyhow, the hard-work was paid off by the feast from local ocean, accompanied by chilled sake, and fine folks.

Would I go back soon? Uhhh, . . . Maybe.

Japan Cuts (The New York Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema) of 2012 showcased the US Premiere of Love Strikes! モテキ (Moteki) with an appearance of actress Masami Nagasawa, this year's recipient of NYAFF's Rising Star Asia Award. Co-presented with The New York Asian Film Festival. The evening also featured a live performance by COBU. 

Lucille and Tony at Father's Day dinner

Spending Sunday evening at Anable Basin Sailing Bar & Grill, a hidden gem of LIC, with a bunch of amigos y amigas. Spectacular view with super mellow vibe.