tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77026068776108740112020-12-19T03:57:08.303-05:00Chloe Silver DesignChloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.comBlogger399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-91371123156447082952020-03-11T20:40:00.003-04:002020-03-12T10:03:48.034-04:00Brazil Vol. 3: Cortejo Afro, Joker & Accidental Renaissance Paintings<i>Weekly Update 2020-10: The final chapter of my trip to Brazil, alongside finally facing my fear and watching the film Joker, and a new meme group about accidental renaissance painting-looking photography.</i><br /><br />Music: <a href="http://www.cortejoafro.com.br/">Cortejo Afro</a><br />Last week I had the pleasure of seeing the wonderful bloco Cortejo Afro perform, and then had the honour of workshopping with the band's very own Mestre Gordo. His beats were so fun and complex, I can't wait to try them out in Toronto.<br /><br />Cortejo Afro was created on July 2, 1998, Bahia's Independence Day, in the community of Pirajá. Onstage, the band has high energy, exuberant clothes and rich choreography linked to Afro culture, idealized by its founder the artist and designer Alberto Pitta. For over 30 years, Pitta has been working with clothes with an Afro influence, creating models for the afoxés and blocos in Salvador, including making costumes for Olodum for 15 years.<br /><br />Pitta's intention is to rescue the colours, sounds and rhythms of Carnaval, which in his opinion “time took care of erasing, making the biggest popular party in the world, in one folder”. He has introduced themes of white on white, blue and silver, which are the colours of the Afro Brazilian Orixá (deity/spirit) named Oxalá. The big sombreros, according to Pitta, "aim to show the look of the African tribes' reigns, especially of Benin, Ivory Coast, among other African countries".<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YwZc-UH5Hs/XmmAgbr5bdI/AAAAAAAAq64/qQtsxWTCphox8UAL8jFckIp46ukXsh7_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="1024" height="195" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YwZc-UH5Hs/XmmAgbr5bdI/AAAAAAAAq64/qQtsxWTCphox8UAL8jFckIp46ukXsh7_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Some of the band in their Oxalá colours.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't think the band is even really known for this, but Cortejo Afro (and Ilê Aiyê) collaborated with Björk for her album "Mouths Cradle" and then were left out because they didn't fit the (nearly) all-vocal concept of the album. In these YouTube days we live in, she has since released the song as an alternative mix, which I think is much better than the original:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-xj1y3PsT9o/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-xj1y3PsT9o?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><br />Accomplishment:<br />The last Monday of the trip came all too soon. We said goodbye to some of our bandmates, packed up and drove two hours up the coast to Praia Do Forte with Bahia on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Praia Do Forte is a lovely little beach town, lots of partying but definitely a tourist spot that's a little more chilled out than Salvador. This was honestly the first time I felt a sense of safety that I am normally so used to in Canada. I still wouldn't want to leave my phone lying around anywhere, but I felt pretty safe walking alone at night in this town, unlike anywhere else I had been before in Brazil.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxpSVbKH2kE/XmmBp07OYQI/AAAAAAAAq7M/8g5KBf9YikE0GV4dyIZ3-h-EEYfaOuxeACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200224_171559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxpSVbKH2kE/XmmBp07OYQI/AAAAAAAAq7M/8g5KBf9YikE0GV4dyIZ3-h-EEYfaOuxeACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200224_171559.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwoIW_BTEIo/XmmBp_H2UJI/AAAAAAAAq7M/pN1Qt_-w3noI50l7IFowrMeD83N1oaBuQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200224_173857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwoIW_BTEIo/XmmBp_H2UJI/AAAAAAAAq7M/pN1Qt_-w3noI50l7IFowrMeD83N1oaBuQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200224_173857.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbvXODXGD4I/XmmBp3M9obI/AAAAAAAAq7M/LLUsMO7Yrd4Qg84Ifu7hZbX0qgcyTfCuQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200224_180008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbvXODXGD4I/XmmBp3M9obI/AAAAAAAAq7M/LLUsMO7Yrd4Qg84Ifu7hZbX0qgcyTfCuQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200224_180008.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />At night we all cooked dinner together at the beach house where most of the group was staying, picanha and sausages.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brLFCg-PWdo/XmmBpwOedEI/AAAAAAAAq7M/qRt3yU4nZoUHYbKTeBVDF4BGO2-tNUqzgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200224_204618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brLFCg-PWdo/XmmBpwOedEI/AAAAAAAAq7M/qRt3yU4nZoUHYbKTeBVDF4BGO2-tNUqzgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200224_204618.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmZGb47uinE/XmmBp30kbTI/AAAAAAAAq7M/1dhJSJIS_qMy5QP6vmw5QZFglFZhRgyWwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200224_204634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmZGb47uinE/XmmBp30kbTI/AAAAAAAAq7M/1dhJSJIS_qMy5QP6vmw5QZFglFZhRgyWwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200224_204634.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-Ih-gsgc4k/XmmBp7yqOYI/AAAAAAAAq7M/M7kmxDDk2ycTQHKHliEK-3HgatLKGz6AQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200224_213226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-Ih-gsgc4k/XmmBp7yqOYI/AAAAAAAAq7M/M7kmxDDk2ycTQHKHliEK-3HgatLKGz6AQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200224_213226.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />On Tuesday we drove 20 minutes or so to Imbassai, another beautiful beach alongside a restaurant og growing renown for its specialty dish: a huge grilled and deboned king mackerel with salty shrimps under a blanket of grilled plantain. One dish, along with the sides of rice, farofa, pirão and spicy Brazilian hot sauce.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOBDMf3--YM/XmmB1gwO_MI/AAAAAAAAq7Q/KrMIE6Sb_qcQNMxTS7qUGxJJ48ZShGSeQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200225_121410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOBDMf3--YM/XmmB1gwO_MI/AAAAAAAAq7Q/KrMIE6Sb_qcQNMxTS7qUGxJJ48ZShGSeQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200225_121410.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hDh4pfI5VU/XmmB1pE2p4I/AAAAAAAAq7Q/Sb0Z0XFX4hAcx68ibnFyoa1QqUqmvWnzQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/PANO_20200225_121431.vr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="1600" height="78" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hDh4pfI5VU/XmmB1pE2p4I/AAAAAAAAq7Q/Sb0Z0XFX4hAcx68ibnFyoa1QqUqmvWnzQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/PANO_20200225_121431.vr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBCGQ_FGtEc/XmmB1ss7mWI/AAAAAAAAq7Q/ABBTwKX3jo09DMIyA_08Pb8hwDtLaZrngCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200225_121533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBCGQ_FGtEc/XmmB1ss7mWI/AAAAAAAAq7Q/ABBTwKX3jo09DMIyA_08Pb8hwDtLaZrngCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200225_121533.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsnbPbZ3oPc/XmmB1tveR8I/AAAAAAAAq7Q/ujs1Aypbj9kkggoV5QB-nQx1Mk8m50xPACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200225_134427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsnbPbZ3oPc/XmmB1tveR8I/AAAAAAAAq7Q/ujs1Aypbj9kkggoV5QB-nQx1Mk8m50xPACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200225_134427.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The fish! Hand for scale!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq1bRDw4k60/XmmB1oPgpTI/AAAAAAAAq7Q/8GG2dLuZO6Ec1tEroEiO-Xc865tvxlwMQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200225_162810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq1bRDw4k60/XmmB1oPgpTI/AAAAAAAAq7Q/8GG2dLuZO6Ec1tEroEiO-Xc865tvxlwMQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200225_162810.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFEv6ws0rL0/XmmB1l9trSI/AAAAAAAAq7Q/nJzrEXt7pdcBzyMLJb4Krb5l9KpYRkDVACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200225_170518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFEv6ws0rL0/XmmB1l9trSI/AAAAAAAAq7Q/nJzrEXt7pdcBzyMLJb4Krb5l9KpYRkDVACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200225_170518.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Pato made us all moqueca for dinner, a Brazilian recipe based on fish or shrimp, tomatoes, onions, garlic, lime and coriander. It's like the Brazilian take on a Thai fish curry, super duper good.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiNTTvq2hao/XmmB1gfXIAI/AAAAAAAAq7Q/mfC4dGySz0kdaJNrExIedeNNyppxsYx-gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200225_215820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiNTTvq2hao/XmmB1gfXIAI/AAAAAAAAq7Q/mfC4dGySz0kdaJNrExIedeNNyppxsYx-gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200225_215820.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I didn't get a pic til the end of the pot :P</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kInI45VOyYI/XmmB1unSP-I/AAAAAAAAq7Q/iDCKwyBGVZIxzUsi9s7HjB58FrVN1lOmgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200225_220043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kInI45VOyYI/XmmB1unSP-I/AAAAAAAAq7Q/iDCKwyBGVZIxzUsi9s7HjB58FrVN1lOmgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200225_220043.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Wednesday was my last full day in Brazil, and we spent it in the natural tide pools along the beach. We also watched the scheduled releasing of baby turtles from the sanctuary into the ocean, which was super cute.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KmGzV8Wj-uk/XmmCMUJdQ3I/AAAAAAAAq7U/77fU__BnfN4-n_jG_UR8oUKr3tqJP9yAACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200226_112415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KmGzV8Wj-uk/XmmCMUJdQ3I/AAAAAAAAq7U/77fU__BnfN4-n_jG_UR8oUKr3tqJP9yAACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200226_112415.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_IScflJ7ZE/XmmCMXvotmI/AAAAAAAAq7U/JHP70nWowTo_c12a-z6P89zGQxsQvCVVgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200226_112420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_IScflJ7ZE/XmmCMXvotmI/AAAAAAAAq7U/JHP70nWowTo_c12a-z6P89zGQxsQvCVVgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200226_112420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reeHzhXunZg/XmmCMQ76brI/AAAAAAAAq7U/Wp4caZexL9MGM6UWIjw18VnzZaIaj60uACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200226_115841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reeHzhXunZg/XmmCMQ76brI/AAAAAAAAq7U/Wp4caZexL9MGM6UWIjw18VnzZaIaj60uACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200226_115841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdaJKuEcN4Q/XmmCMU4PCeI/AAAAAAAAq7U/8j_qRCkZoEUcWjt9vrvf6QI-Qwae66CSwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200226_120556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UdaJKuEcN4Q/XmmCMU4PCeI/AAAAAAAAq7U/8j_qRCkZoEUcWjt9vrvf6QI-Qwae66CSwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200226_120556.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Os8LfXbKsas/XmmCMe6hTFI/AAAAAAAAq7U/93sGf3ub7eoeg4c3WquXSFoUOK94xgFTwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200226_165104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Os8LfXbKsas/XmmCMe6hTFI/AAAAAAAAq7U/93sGf3ub7eoeg4c3WquXSFoUOK94xgFTwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200226_165104.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8CVVuDYoCQ/XmmCMWtpjAI/AAAAAAAAq7U/d7PPHcjltJAqlXXF8WwD0bksQv99_vDAACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200226_174124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8CVVuDYoCQ/XmmCMWtpjAI/AAAAAAAAq7U/d7PPHcjltJAqlXXF8WwD0bksQv99_vDAACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200226_174124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I spent Thursday morning exploring more tide pools with Barbara, and then met up with the rest of the group on my slow walk back to the hotel to gather my stuff and go. What a whirlwind!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNuHVh1Fv8Y/XmmCZXRT01I/AAAAAAAAq7c/0sxm85d8bt4tqJO7uvb3w1Ip--YuvdoAwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200227_091441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNuHVh1Fv8Y/XmmCZXRT01I/AAAAAAAAq7c/0sxm85d8bt4tqJO7uvb3w1Ip--YuvdoAwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200227_091441.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1xTk4tE8_M/XmmCZSmWrMI/AAAAAAAAq7c/ImdyB5iYL6cXGU6Nqssr_h_Tx90JtpuhwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200227_093417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1xTk4tE8_M/XmmCZSmWrMI/AAAAAAAAq7c/ImdyB5iYL6cXGU6Nqssr_h_Tx90JtpuhwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200227_093417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWBPp9LjWD4/XmmCZYfGx9I/AAAAAAAAq7c/vyRki8CM4mYhvuEeMuDOUwuz0dSyUZuzACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200227_091734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWBPp9LjWD4/XmmCZYfGx9I/AAAAAAAAq7c/vyRki8CM4mYhvuEeMuDOUwuz0dSyUZuzACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200227_091734.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0Al-xZh_DA/XmmCZeCtSXI/AAAAAAAAq7c/CZ9WTCWTgq0imw-VWtEUwGhP7bNyzP-tQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200227_093504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z0Al-xZh_DA/XmmCZeCtSXI/AAAAAAAAq7c/CZ9WTCWTgq0imw-VWtEUwGhP7bNyzP-tQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200227_093504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMmh_QH8dHM/XmmCZSqOPeI/AAAAAAAAq7c/x1B5VRM15sEOSZgDvgG2U4BQovWVUWncQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200227_100654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMmh_QH8dHM/XmmCZSqOPeI/AAAAAAAAq7c/x1B5VRM15sEOSZgDvgG2U4BQovWVUWncQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200227_100654.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uAl48DkTC5Q/XmmCZbpThaI/AAAAAAAAq7c/icJGo_IB_kswVZCTGLD8bYoBQ2Z3W6ArACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200227_101651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uAl48DkTC5Q/XmmCZbpThaI/AAAAAAAAq7c/icJGo_IB_kswVZCTGLD8bYoBQ2Z3W6ArACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200227_101651.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eASlS2RxnE/XmmCZd1tqxI/AAAAAAAAq7c/XY4ozmbyKugAM9-lXyGcLKRqvfhjQOD1QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200227_102931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eASlS2RxnE/XmmCZd1tqxI/AAAAAAAAq7c/XY4ozmbyKugAM9-lXyGcLKRqvfhjQOD1QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200227_102931.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvxtW_CKJvE/XmmCZYbQbeI/AAAAAAAAq7c/fsxx0Lymbi4ZxVsGb5N1Q_8v5oum18hWwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200227_103154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dvxtW_CKJvE/XmmCZYbQbeI/AAAAAAAAq7c/fsxx0Lymbi4ZxVsGb5N1Q_8v5oum18hWwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200227_103154.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>My last real Maracuja (Passionfuit)...and cachaça at 11am. Hey, I'm still on vacation!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DnOyzFMuekg/XmmCZSBKZJI/AAAAAAAAq7c/rcofLJUS-GoRrwMxg8CXDQGWCkOmTiX3ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200227_105803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DnOyzFMuekg/XmmCZSBKZJI/AAAAAAAAq7c/rcofLJUS-GoRrwMxg8CXDQGWCkOmTiX3ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200227_105803.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld-_-pgw2tE/XmmCZT69qzI/AAAAAAAAq7c/It-5rqMhgZ8gfWGtwDSv5rTZbM7Ci1yWwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200227_170847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld-_-pgw2tE/XmmCZT69qzI/AAAAAAAAq7c/It-5rqMhgZ8gfWGtwDSv5rTZbM7Ci1yWwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200227_170847.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I asked for "all the snacks" in Portuguese on the plane. Larissa would be proud.</div><br />Goal:<br />After only two weeks away, it was such a packed trip that I need some adjustment time to process it all! After writing about it all though, I feel like I've absorbed the trip more completely in my brain.<br /><br />Since we're off from band practice until Pato gets back in late March, I'll be taking a long, hard look at my drum kit and learning about how to care for it (and the true cost of replacing its parts back to a playable level...that scares me). Though no matter what cost it will be in the end to repair, there's no other way I could have motivated myself to learn everything I'm going to teach myself about drum kits. Hello, Google!<br /><br />Random Thought: Joker<br />I am not a movie person at the best of times. When I heard that a new Joker movie was coming out with heavy themes of mental illness and the way we overlook them in our society, I immediately knew I would not be watching this film. As the movie took hold of audiences I began to hear more snippets of the film through the descriptions of my friends and coworkers, and it only repelled me further.<br /><br />While we can all do with a little shock to the senses as a reminder to treat people with more kindness and understanding, I have a hard time with the subject matter of mental illness in television and movies because it hits too close to home for me. I was even tempted again when Oscars season came around and <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8550153/hildur-gudnadottir-wins-best-original-score-for-joker-at-2020-oscars">Hildur Gudnadottir won best original score for the film</a>, heaven knows I love a good original movie score. But still, I could not bring myself to watch the film.<br /><br />Fast forward to getting on the last leg of my trip home to Toronto, trying to find something to watch on the plane's entertainment system. Yes, I had seen that Joker was on there, but this surely didn't seem like a more appropriate time to get into that hole, so I skipped it again.<br /><br />Then, something caught my eye - the passenger in front of me and to the right (perfect viewing angle for me) was watching Joker with English subtitles, at what seemed like the start of the movie. When I caught myself watching the movie along with them, probably 20 minutes had passed by. I didn't feel too deeply disturbed, and Joaquin Phoenix is quite obviously an amazing casting choice.<br /><br />I realized that I could handle the movie with no sound (I am already quite used to subtitles), so I continued watching the film on my own entertainment system through to the end with only subtitles. It is a true shame that I missed out on Gudnadottir's wonderful score, but I am so susceptible to the emotions drawn from sad/moody music mixed with sad subject matter that I surely would not have made it to the end of the movie in such a manner.<br /><br />And so, on this side of my viewing experience, my opinion about the film's underlying message remains largely the same. I am appreciative that this film was made, in the hopes of showing people that they need to make more room for kindness and acceptance in their lives, but moreso that we all need a wakeup call from this crushing system we all buy into. I am trying to shake free from my political and social apathy but I was already trying before this movie came into my life and I will continue to do so now.<br /><br />Hey, did I mention that the poster was made with old-school wood typesetting? The little texture in the K of Joker is a real, actual texture made by ink and wood against paper. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/15/20961164/joker-dc-film-logo-chad-danieley-artist-art-club">Read more about the process here.</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2T3Ass1sq4/Xml9zgkCvuI/AAAAAAAAq6k/ETr6GwCHD80c92F3XoZUkJlylKc6PNGQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1079" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2T3Ass1sq4/Xml9zgkCvuI/AAAAAAAAq6k/ETr6GwCHD80c92F3XoZUkJlylKc6PNGQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8UukEq2ooU/Xml-KpYSrYI/AAAAAAAAq6s/uS8zZQmFSxcLzNNLabgOYnOXNX48ujDYACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-11%2Bat%2B8.10.56%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1600" height="191" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8UukEq2ooU/Xml-KpYSrYI/AAAAAAAAq6s/uS8zZQmFSxcLzNNLabgOYnOXNX48ujDYACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-11%2Bat%2B8.10.56%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Isn't this cool? You can see they also flipped the K upside down later on.</i></div><br />Inspiration: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2139620953034138/">Accidental Renaissance Paintings</a><br />Well, not actually paintings, but photography that accidentally captures the aesthetic of renaissance paintings (which were the photography of their time, at any rate). Yes, it's another nice Facebook Group, fresh off the presses for you.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8BaCGXy9lo/XmmEPNuWcGI/AAAAAAAAq70/g0ygzbQsu1Qly02kgWcU6id3VF1WbyIGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8BaCGXy9lo/XmmEPNuWcGI/AAAAAAAAq70/g0ygzbQsu1Qly02kgWcU6id3VF1WbyIGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tokyo Wine Festival (context makes this one funnier!)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FB-95QODVjs/XmmEOJMBbMI/AAAAAAAAq7s/vOytyjAFsBk-apQrhECmVw24el0TkNM5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FB-95QODVjs/XmmEOJMBbMI/AAAAAAAAq7s/vOytyjAFsBk-apQrhECmVw24el0TkNM5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nMDU2cHdjI/XmmEPB5AagI/AAAAAAAAq7w/W5kaSpd7Cf4T6Yx56G57pYE3nH3G3rrbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1280" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nMDU2cHdjI/XmmEPB5AagI/AAAAAAAAq7w/W5kaSpd7Cf4T6Yx56G57pYE3nH3G3rrbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turkish feminist kicking a riot cop in Istanbul during a march on International Women's Day.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGb1qdy2SYI/XmmEPkJ9BhI/AAAAAAAAq78/-P7wThC3YwQJJ9R7cKqRshazFALqSXH0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGb1qdy2SYI/XmmEPkJ9BhI/AAAAAAAAq78/-P7wThC3YwQJJ9R7cKqRshazFALqSXH0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaaaa.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is a true mishmash of the human condition, to be sure. There's something really good here in the mix of artistry, nostagia, history and the true randomness of subject matter smattered with glimpses of cultures and parts of the world we have not yet personally seen. It's also a great example of life imitating art...imitating life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And in case you weren't sure what exactly qualifies as an accidental renaissance painting (photograph), there is a handy post to get you on your way. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIEfNYj3VYc/XmmEPSrVCXI/AAAAAAAAq74/PPsaEN2ZN2M-lZSKNhW2jZv9a6tDiIp3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-11%2Bat%2B8.34.48%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIEfNYj3VYc/XmmEPSrVCXI/AAAAAAAAq74/PPsaEN2ZN2M-lZSKNhW2jZv9a6tDiIp3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-11%2Bat%2B8.34.48%2BPM.png" width="221" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This group definitely deserves an add if you appreciate the little things in life - almost 56,000 members at time of posting. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2139620953034138/">Enjoy!</a></div>Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-41374385392172619212020-03-07T16:40:00.000-05:002020-03-08T12:52:42.412-04:00Brazil Vol. 2: Ilê Aiyê, Another Privilege Check & Mario Pam<i>Weekly Update 2020-09: The second of three chapters on the beautiful Brazil, a place full of culture, excitement, poverty and music that stole my heart and some other things, too. </i><br /><br />Music: Ilê Aiyê<br />Sometimes it just doesn't make sense until you go there. I made the trek all the way to Brazil, and even then on a particular evening of my trip, a trek from the relatively safe, touristy neighbourhood of Pelourinho all the way down the line to Curuzu where the original bloco afro of Samba Reggae was born: Ilê Aiyê.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gPbVAmJeN8/XmBSv5EUMFI/AAAAAAAAqq0/okuI8KbJNWEjPG3Lm0dkmSOJKJW6bi5cgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gPbVAmJeN8/XmBSv5EUMFI/AAAAAAAAqq0/okuI8KbJNWEjPG3Lm0dkmSOJKJW6bi5cgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Ilê Aiyê pioneered the bloco style of Carnaval drumming currently popular worldwide. Founded in 1974, they are not only the first Carnaval bloco of the modern era in Bahia, but the first all-black Carnaval group. They singlehandedly sparked a renaissance that not only redefined Carnaval, but began a wider social movement known as "resistância cultural”—which calls for respect for African heritage in Brazil.<br /><br />Ilê Aiyê's impact and influence comes through in music, dance, fashion, politics, and in youth education programs. Influenced by the 1970s American black pride movement, Ilê Aiyê created their infectious rhythm samba afro by fusing Rio-style samba with candomblé and samba de roda. It's so interesting that samba could travel from Salvador down to Rio, and then migrate back up to Salvador again to become this and many other sounds.<br /><br />I literally cannot stop singing the songs on their Spotify Album <i>Black Chant</i>. The album is predominantly sung in Portuguese but I am doing my best to learn the lyrics in both languages to sing along and learn the meanings. More on this below.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/1Q7PWWtoy53BtBTRsfDPHI" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />Picking up where we left off in the last post: Wednesday morning we piled in a van to nearby Piraja to do a workshop with Mestre Gordo for Cortejo Afro fame. We played with him all day and learned some very cool beats. Downstairs I noticed some women sewing Carnaval costumes - always the unsung heroes of the huge musical events. You rock, ladies!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_588H0Ndo90/XmQBekgf65I/AAAAAAAAqsg/LKqzzGGDYzgCqDr4M4n5au3bqqOgigUdwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200219_123522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_588H0Ndo90/XmQBekgf65I/AAAAAAAAqsg/LKqzzGGDYzgCqDr4M4n5au3bqqOgigUdwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200219_123522.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3XxB6KIahI/XmQBekX7EKI/AAAAAAAAqsg/1U9RinMFfdg7jlzEkhjnyn22S0VDu8-1gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200219_123321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3XxB6KIahI/XmQBekX7EKI/AAAAAAAAqsg/1U9RinMFfdg7jlzEkhjnyn22S0VDu8-1gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200219_123321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Our practice room for the day, with Cortejo Afro's drums.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vDudxeNn3k/XmQBeqG80II/AAAAAAAAqsg/2bSb9rvuUUEzlEo_X_VkDC7i6NS97gr4ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200219_123548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vDudxeNn3k/XmQBeqG80II/AAAAAAAAqsg/2bSb9rvuUUEzlEo_X_VkDC7i6NS97gr4ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200219_123548.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jk8KKuQmADM/XmQBel857oI/AAAAAAAAqsg/NGGm5w8uVxYCbRdGwyWSBNPm3YDEaXSRgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200219_123600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jk8KKuQmADM/XmQBel857oI/AAAAAAAAqsg/NGGm5w8uVxYCbRdGwyWSBNPm3YDEaXSRgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200219_123600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGgMaXY-xvY/XmQBevVZmeI/AAAAAAAAqsg/6WgxRYjrsSoDSc8ZscqAIcV5FxSJtio5wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200219_132103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGgMaXY-xvY/XmQBevVZmeI/AAAAAAAAqsg/6WgxRYjrsSoDSc8ZscqAIcV5FxSJtio5wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200219_132103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lunch in Piraja!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZSn2Zrdf88/XmQBenHDYmI/AAAAAAAAqsg/7SBBaMzkhS4PW2GnmbPST7vKDR5Vu5tEQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200219_140432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zZSn2Zrdf88/XmQBenHDYmI/AAAAAAAAqsg/7SBBaMzkhS4PW2GnmbPST7vKDR5Vu5tEQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200219_140432.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSqdwj7teeg/XmQBeg0dQ4I/AAAAAAAAqsg/MtVqYkPG3MYiGJblnmnKagIz3da3SMPfQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200219_160839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSqdwj7teeg/XmQBeg0dQ4I/AAAAAAAAqsg/MtVqYkPG3MYiGJblnmnKagIz3da3SMPfQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200219_160839.jpg" width="240" /></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mestre Gordo and me :D</i></div><br />At night we had a special lecture from some of the famous mestres on Pelourinho: Pato had brought together the famed Anderson (who had come to visit us in Toronto), Mestre Jackson, Alex Rosa and more extremely talented drummers to discuss their history in the city of Samba Reggae. And, just before they started to tell us their stories, we heard some drumming coming from down the street through the open windows. Looking out into the streets below, we caught the tail end of the full drumming band of Olodum doing a practice parade through the streets of Pelourinho! How cool.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eB4IBtIDNaU/XmQBeikCs8I/AAAAAAAAqsg/u6_sYeMJVcQtZI2YZKj0gRp3tsHVg0QCACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200219_190713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eB4IBtIDNaU/XmQBeikCs8I/AAAAAAAAqsg/u6_sYeMJVcQtZI2YZKj0gRp3tsHVg0QCACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200219_190713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pato trying to learn from Mestre Jackson the way I learn from him!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>That's Alex Rosa beside Pato on the right playing repique.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The guy under Alex was also an AMAZING drummer, George Sopa.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRlb2rsbE_8/XmQBegIFaKI/AAAAAAAAqsg/H6OqTzeZtZEjAj1Xf1H2jx5BJS6oZVptACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200219_204910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRlb2rsbE_8/XmQBegIFaKI/AAAAAAAAqsg/H6OqTzeZtZEjAj1Xf1H2jx5BJS6oZVptACKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200219_204910.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>So many amazing drummers in this rooooooooom!</i></div><br />Anderson's family also cooked us a huge Brazilian meal. It was a lovely evening listening to some of the best drummers in the world.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSnd-kMdJfE/XmQBeuZy6yI/AAAAAAAAqsg/34dKS6Tpp4w9zOhZL6O4NrHNVG90yz3nQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200219_211225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSnd-kMdJfE/XmQBeuZy6yI/AAAAAAAAqsg/34dKS6Tpp4w9zOhZL6O4NrHNVG90yz3nQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200219_211225.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On Thursday morning we had a bit of tourist time before our next Tambores Do Mundo workshop. Some of us went over to the Lacerda Elevator to get to the big Mercado Modelo - a market of Brazilian crafts and goods. There was some lovely textiles, small drums and instruments, and other stuff but I didn't find too much to buy since Gary had already given me his Olodum shirt! It was still nice to walk around the market and finish off with an Acai.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjmEttYzMsA/XmQCnksvOiI/AAAAAAAAqss/l6ujH_YeG6kcSsChumPsJGl2qKMONeuqACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200220_110432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjmEttYzMsA/XmQCnksvOiI/AAAAAAAAqss/l6ujH_YeG6kcSsChumPsJGl2qKMONeuqACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200220_110432.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEdoiHsCUHI/XmQCngqVewI/AAAAAAAAqss/xzmOU01J7Zs7P8eA2HpkN-F3V-I9fY_HgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200220_110442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEdoiHsCUHI/XmQCngqVewI/AAAAAAAAqss/xzmOU01J7Zs7P8eA2HpkN-F3V-I9fY_HgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200220_110442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRo6GePgkMs/XmQCnt-kKGI/AAAAAAAAqss/asMiXnGkLCUxCHdGfjxJTKfcAAJZKQxAQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200220_112745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRo6GePgkMs/XmQCnt-kKGI/AAAAAAAAqss/asMiXnGkLCUxCHdGfjxJTKfcAAJZKQxAQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200220_112745.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The city is divided between high and low, with an elevator to go between (Elevator Lacerda).</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIGBNlcnqJ4/XmQCng8uT4I/AAAAAAAAqss/H7K-NRvQn64Ug8FLoGHOqRHit1_NYQkGgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200220_225740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIGBNlcnqJ4/XmQCng8uT4I/AAAAAAAAqss/H7K-NRvQn64Ug8FLoGHOqRHit1_NYQkGgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200220_225740.jpg" width="240" /></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The gang about to go out on the town.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Barbara is hanging out the window where we stayed.</i></div><br />After that came the last Carnaval workshop with Tambores Do Mundo before we paraded together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DsJTRVglCg/XmQDCgjKXaI/AAAAAAAAqs0/UU4kVTvwfUYEdhav1Uu3unXHz2x5GRGUACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200221_151111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DsJTRVglCg/XmQDCgjKXaI/AAAAAAAAqs0/UU4kVTvwfUYEdhav1Uu3unXHz2x5GRGUACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200221_151111.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqiTsPUWeLQ/XmQDCjbzuUI/AAAAAAAAqs0/Sq4tcINSOhE11sabrY8A2Y_Wj8P_bJN2QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200221_163458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqiTsPUWeLQ/XmQDCjbzuUI/AAAAAAAAqs0/Sq4tcINSOhE11sabrY8A2Y_Wj8P_bJN2QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200221_163458.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />On Friday we did our daytime parade with Tambores Do Mundo, admittedly falling off early to run back to Pelourinho to catch the Saída do Olodum (thematic departure parade from their home in Pelourinho to Campo Grande, where their trio eletrico awaited them). I thought I had never been so squished in my life, but I had no idea what I was in for later that night.<br /><br />We walked and danced alongside as Olodum's drummers and performers paraded through Pelourinho on their way to Campo Grande, and then walked to meet them at their trio eletrico. From here on out, I was so squished shoulder-to-shoulder that I could only tiptoe as slow as the crown around me moved, everyone a huge, sweaty, drunken, rowdy, stinking mass. I am happy I did it, but I would never do it again. I could only really hear the drums at certain times, and the crowd was just too much. But it was still a once-in-a-lifetime experience. See if you can find me in the crowd!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9ieDJuEqpA/XmQDCgQcBkI/AAAAAAAAqs0/Qz7wfoyojG0uPLOUvuff_Sn7wMrfS9SKwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200221_180057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9ieDJuEqpA/XmQDCgQcBkI/AAAAAAAAqs0/Qz7wfoyojG0uPLOUvuff_Sn7wMrfS9SKwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200221_180057.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5yGk87QEHd0/XmQDCssOdaI/AAAAAAAAqs0/qVAYlaaYWI8firBcMc_braY_rYip1CLnwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200221_185317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5yGk87QEHd0/XmQDCssOdaI/AAAAAAAAqs0/qVAYlaaYWI8firBcMc_braY_rYip1CLnwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200221_185317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbhCUxRKlQ4/XmQDCnYw8yI/AAAAAAAAqs0/z8R4SRUUtA0_c34m4BLhUdxLNJQbNs1QgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200221_204808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbhCUxRKlQ4/XmQDCnYw8yI/AAAAAAAAqs0/z8R4SRUUtA0_c34m4BLhUdxLNJQbNs1QgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200221_204808.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJdkTMyaTYU/XmQDCtJWpAI/AAAAAAAAqs0/8h9hB6YOFAI9n5atE5i9Zo_Wno_qOD-ngCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200221_204814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJdkTMyaTYU/XmQDCtJWpAI/AAAAAAAAqs0/8h9hB6YOFAI9n5atE5i9Zo_Wno_qOD-ngCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200221_204814.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omroCevuF_I/XmQDc6PSVGI/AAAAAAAAqs8/7ftL0NC5i10Hh4zqkiTNYouwBP24SDOdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omroCevuF_I/XmQDc6PSVGI/AAAAAAAAqs8/7ftL0NC5i10Hh4zqkiTNYouwBP24SDOdACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Can you spot me? Hardest Where's Waldo ever...</i></div><br />On Saturday we got a well-deserved beach day at Praia Do Buraçao, as I hemmed and hawed about whether my body could handle another night of craziness after Olodum. Tonight Ilê Aiyê was doing their Saída from the Barrio Preto of Curuzu (closeby-ish to Pelourinho) and I just didn't know if I could do it all again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DIoUMRDJCo/XmQDyXK4X6I/AAAAAAAAqtI/E_GDAPEyXBsuUScvHM7bDSm1P32xBENEwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200222_173832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DIoUMRDJCo/XmQDyXK4X6I/AAAAAAAAqtI/E_GDAPEyXBsuUScvHM7bDSm1P32xBENEwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200222_173832.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZzb_b_s2i0/XmQDyepzoTI/AAAAAAAAqtI/aIy3iAO9r0AP8VXkyS1yMWU9kjm6hT5mACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200222_174803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZzb_b_s2i0/XmQDyepzoTI/AAAAAAAAqtI/aIy3iAO9r0AP8VXkyS1yMWU9kjm6hT5mACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200222_174803.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I think all of us got a little naked moment in the water because the waves were so powerful here!!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy8Cc8Ff8lM/XmQDyVty-fI/AAAAAAAAqtI/FXv6W3UWptE_M4YgbrtXfB39ETyPGAgvgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200222_162301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy8Cc8Ff8lM/XmQDyVty-fI/AAAAAAAAqtI/FXv6W3UWptE_M4YgbrtXfB39ETyPGAgvgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200222_162301.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Caipirinhas delivered to your beach chair for $3 CAD.</i></div><br />I did force myself to go in the end and realized quickly that Ilê Aiyê's vibe is very different from that of Olodum, and much more my speed. Curuzu is a very culture-rich neighbourhood, absolutely predominantly black, and home to several cultural buildings belonging to Ilê Aiyê.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NuggtlorZiw/XmQEGJdjjqI/AAAAAAAAqtQ/_W2DhkKCZFMuY2Eq5ixksn2JBwvgA_g_wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200222_201918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NuggtlorZiw/XmQEGJdjjqI/AAAAAAAAqtQ/_W2DhkKCZFMuY2Eq5ixksn2JBwvgA_g_wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200222_201918.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />They began their Saída with a brass section, of course lots of drummers, a release of doves into the air, throwing of popcorn into the crowd, and the most sensational moment of all the audience singing along to their classic song <i>Negrume Da Noite</i>, the words of which I have since learned to heart. Too bad I didn't do so before the event!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOrBAjW_zzs/XmB8UK8sXzI/AAAAAAAAqrA/fK8w2YCz2lMcbVuNKmLGM469GYpfmTZ_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/b.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="1067" height="326" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOrBAjW_zzs/XmB8UK8sXzI/AAAAAAAAqrA/fK8w2YCz2lMcbVuNKmLGM469GYpfmTZ_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/b.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br />Since this magical night watching the band parade up the streets of Curuzu in their Saída, I have been forever changed by their music. The vibe felt so different from that of Olodum, much more homegrown and meant for the true love of music and culture. Yes, it was hot as hell and yes, people were pretty drunk and pushing into each other like a big, sweaty can of sardines, but this particular can felt more positive vibes than Olodum had the previous night over in Campo Grande neighbourhood. Many factors could play into this, but this was my impression of two seemingly comparable evenings in the throes of Carnaval. More on the Saída later on in this post.<br /><br />We tried to take it easy on Sunday, one of the hottest days yet. The streets of Pelourinho were filled with blue-and-white flurries of followers of the Filhos do Gandhy (Sons of Gandhi), and everything seemed a little more surreal.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhlY0y6pXrY/XmQEg5iFC3I/AAAAAAAAqtY/dLqm37w76XwuEqFlew8nWhVvKq3c6nJLACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_150910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nhlY0y6pXrY/XmQEg5iFC3I/AAAAAAAAqtY/dLqm37w76XwuEqFlew8nWhVvKq3c6nJLACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_150910.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gK2OfbfCX0o/XmQEg4wIA2I/AAAAAAAAqtY/CJbi1JeDxHkEeGTdjX60Mj09T90KWJ4oACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_214759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gK2OfbfCX0o/XmQEg4wIA2I/AAAAAAAAqtY/CJbi1JeDxHkEeGTdjX60Mj09T90KWJ4oACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_214759.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />This group or afoxé was founded in 1949, and today is the largest and (some would say) the most beautiful group in Salvador's Carnaval with approximately 10,000 members.<br /><br />As per the name, you may guess the group is made up exclusively of men. They take inspiration from the principles of non-violence and peace of the Indian activist Mahatma Gandhi, and bring the tradition of African rhythms through songs of the instrument the "agogô" in the Yoruba language.<br /><br />Members use white sheets and towels as a costume to symbolize Indian dress, and for some amount of money I would assume any man could have a literal towel sewn onto their head in a sort of headdress with a shiny blue-and-silver talisman affixed to the front.<br /><br />I didn't actually get to see any of the musical members, but oh boy there were Filhos everywhere that day.<br /><br />At night we did our final parade at night with our very own <i>trio eletrico</i> and Bloco Alabê to help us keep the beat all the way to Campo Grande.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NErTfHSyPfM/XmQEg5r2ltI/AAAAAAAAqtY/4o1i2wCqi6U6N1I38Hp8IK0GlqxIIUSagCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_191913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NErTfHSyPfM/XmQEg5r2ltI/AAAAAAAAqtY/4o1i2wCqi6U6N1I38Hp8IK0GlqxIIUSagCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_191913.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84pAu2dQykA/XmQEg2YTVGI/AAAAAAAAqtY/aIszQkVEWpMriKxBguw43yunS2jECQuOgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_185157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84pAu2dQykA/XmQEg2YTVGI/AAAAAAAAqtY/aIszQkVEWpMriKxBguw43yunS2jECQuOgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_185157.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0I4VCEq6isw/XmQEg6QQ3pI/AAAAAAAAqtY/LnzxLrt-M_Q6_qh1huUZ_VWSnLJ7lsrLgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_192022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0I4VCEq6isw/XmQEg6QQ3pI/AAAAAAAAqtY/LnzxLrt-M_Q6_qh1huUZ_VWSnLJ7lsrLgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_192022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mlLqIhmpHAM/XmQEg_sIYfI/AAAAAAAAqtY/16hPtQWv4FMKjhYG7pr0eel0lwCVCSatwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_193132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mlLqIhmpHAM/XmQEg_sIYfI/AAAAAAAAqtY/16hPtQWv4FMKjhYG7pr0eel0lwCVCSatwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_193132.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87PFLjDJg1Y/XmQEgwcyg4I/AAAAAAAAqtY/wD1vfYwqh64kgbkl_uJidMnnNkwduCGNACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_202337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87PFLjDJg1Y/XmQEgwcyg4I/AAAAAAAAqtY/wD1vfYwqh64kgbkl_uJidMnnNkwduCGNACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_202337.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BkkrlFwOTWM/XmQEg7cA7QI/AAAAAAAAqtY/9D_bYrU9LYQ-7q4GYsJhSWhxoTKQGVckACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_204614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BkkrlFwOTWM/XmQEg7cA7QI/AAAAAAAAqtY/9D_bYrU9LYQ-7q4GYsJhSWhxoTKQGVckACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_204614.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPSe3Uh4w6U/XmQEg8uLpfI/AAAAAAAAqtY/3Vtk92Vbkl0y8cjZPNhBKeOHLlc-qTmWACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_204607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPSe3Uh4w6U/XmQEg8uLpfI/AAAAAAAAqtY/3Vtk92Vbkl0y8cjZPNhBKeOHLlc-qTmWACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_204607.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11l3IESwlfA/XmQEg4zg1lI/AAAAAAAAqtY/SFQNkyto_FYTj-CisoeAHKw4CzcprvawACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200223_204620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11l3IESwlfA/XmQEg4zg1lI/AAAAAAAAqtY/SFQNkyto_FYTj-CisoeAHKw4CzcprvawACKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200223_204620.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Heck yeah, we had our own rope protecting us and our trio eletrico.</i></div><br />This was a perfect way to say goodbye to Pelourinho because my body was well and truly done after three hours of parading, and then dragging the drums all the way back to Pelourinho after that.<br /><br />Goal:<br />I'm going to relax as much as I can over the next three days in the beach town of Praia do Forte, and then unstick myself from all the sand and head back to reality.<br /><br />Random Thought: Privilege Round Two<br />Attending the Saída do Ilê Aiyê in Barrio Preto (Portuguese for "Black Neighbourhood") after such a crazy night at Olodum felt like a risky move without knowing what I'd be getting into, but once we made it to Curuzu I could tell the vibe would be different.<br /><br />The crowd was filled with people who, through their sweaty, drunken states, just wanted to be one with the music and the band and the dancers and each other. This is something I definitely understand from the music festivals I've attended in other countries, though the Saída do Ilê Aiyê was certainly unlike anything I had seen before.<br /><br />I admit I am pretty clueless on the role I am allowed to play as a white person in enjoying the music of this band, and Olodum as well for that matter. Both groups are formed of people of African heritage, descendants of people who were forced from Africa to Brazil and many other countries to work as slaves. Salvador itself is an interesting city in that it was the main slave port for Brazil back in darker days.<br /><br />To take up space in a place called "Black Neighbourhood" for an event that is meant to celebrate and promote an oppressed culture to which I do not belong, felt a little wrong. I did notice that I was absolutely in the minority in the crowd in terms of race, which only made me feel that I was taking space away from someone who would feel more culturally connected to the event than myself.<br /><br />But as soon as the drums started, I recognized Mario Pam and Patinho Axé and Alex Rosa marching past in the band, and the absolutely beautiful singer began singing atop her <i>trio eletrico</i>, and I just melted into the pavement. I was literally carried away by the crowd alongside the band, each outfit was more beautiful than the last, the drums were so, so good. It was almost too much. As I mentioned above the entire crowd was singing <i>Negrume da Noite</i> and it just felt really electrifying and happy and crazy and too sweaty in all the ways Olodum sadly was not. But I'll see them again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXbQxY4b_sI/XmQEGAWL9-I/AAAAAAAAqtQ/aHXi0IFukuUnhQYAxTYk7D64mKQpm_-CwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200222_202200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXbQxY4b_sI/XmQEGAWL9-I/AAAAAAAAqtQ/aHXi0IFukuUnhQYAxTYk7D64mKQpm_-CwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200222_202200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5XdFk0wzYI/XmQEGDkKsyI/AAAAAAAAqtQ/skJJBC1ZLKgYyjwsB80w7NfL9dPRabRsACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200222_225020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5XdFk0wzYI/XmQEGDkKsyI/AAAAAAAAqtQ/skJJBC1ZLKgYyjwsB80w7NfL9dPRabRsACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200222_225020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mfie-Rm2rHQ/XmQEGKG6n7I/AAAAAAAAqtQ/zl2Rh5PZZyEUGbQVHEZ9yv2f3obPBj7dgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_002258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mfie-Rm2rHQ/XmQEGKG6n7I/AAAAAAAAqtQ/zl2Rh5PZZyEUGbQVHEZ9yv2f3obPBj7dgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_002258.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Speaking of the beautiful woman on the <i>trio eletrico</i>, she was singing about the African country chosen for celebration in this year's Carnaval, which happens to be Botswana, "Uma história de êxito no mundo" or in English "A success story in the world". Botswana is a country known for peace, tranquility, diamonds, and exuberant nature according to Ilê Aiyê's <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OAF1ua66b69KrPJggoBW-Q1tFRuQcptcdOUKZND4m60/edit?usp=sharing">research handout (translated to English)</a> for this year's theme.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TqdHAz_Es_0/XmQEGAmR5aI/AAAAAAAAqtQ/sTw3vm1GXsUkS2Pjv56irPZvK1A7ZQj_wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200223_012315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TqdHAz_Es_0/XmQEGAmR5aI/AAAAAAAAqtQ/sTw3vm1GXsUkS2Pjv56irPZvK1A7ZQj_wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200223_012315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Unfortunately, the Botswana Anthem is too new to be found anywhere on the interwebs, so I will have to wait to find the beautiful song again. I can sing it in my head though, take a listen real hard...<br /><br />In the meantime, the album I linked above does contain a wonderful song on Senegal, specifically the city of Bakel and a couple mentions of the capital Dakar as well. Take a listen through the link above in the music section as you read along.<br /><div><br /></div><div>It was some fun to read through the lyrics of this song, both in the original language to sing along (yes, I do all the parts because I'm a singing hog) and in English to try to string together the meanings. <i>Negrume da Noite</i> is a lot more straightforward because it translates pretty clearly from Portuguese to English. Plus their songs repeat verses with call-and-answer, a tool used commonly for political or crowd-chanted songs meant to be easy to learn and participate in as a big group.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0lo1LgGMHtg/XmCA_VjZ7UI/AAAAAAAAqrM/eD1D0Pe7sxkGyLa-ITG7CWazIyQFHgvJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-04%2Bat%2B11.32.45%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0lo1LgGMHtg/XmCA_VjZ7UI/AAAAAAAAqrM/eD1D0Pe7sxkGyLa-ITG7CWazIyQFHgvJACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-04%2Bat%2B11.32.45%2BPM.png" width="277" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I removed the call-and-answer to showcase the translation in this example.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once I had (mostly) picked up <i>Negrume da Noite</i>, I tried my hand translating <i>Cerca de Bakel</i> (translates to <i>Around Bakel)</i>. Here's my favourite verse (singing/melody-wise)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIB0S3uTUDQ/Xl3R4lY7SHI/AAAAAAAAqpE/8zDNBwSwDgofReAmK2vERvHME9J9I1bTACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-02%2Bat%2B10.40.31%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1272" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIB0S3uTUDQ/Xl3R4lY7SHI/AAAAAAAAqpE/8zDNBwSwDgofReAmK2vERvHME9J9I1bTACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-02%2Bat%2B10.40.31%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I started looking up if Senegal was famous for its natural indigo or ballet performance, but it wasn't quite working. Hmm, seems like this song isn't fully in Portuguese. It's suggesting the language of Yoruba for this verse, which is spoken by 3 to 4 million people in West Africa and native to Nigeria, Benin and Togo. So let's translate it into Yoruba and see what's up now:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-aYKa02x1w/Xl3R4UjFHSI/AAAAAAAAqpI/uNdZukP25g4NCBxXI9FvcDCw2rDl2nWRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-02%2Bat%2B10.40.14%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1266" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-aYKa02x1w/Xl3R4UjFHSI/AAAAAAAAqpI/uNdZukP25g4NCBxXI9FvcDCw2rDl2nWRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-02%2Bat%2B10.40.14%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A little darker, this time around!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each new verse translation is a discovery for me, and I'm learning a tiny bit of Portuguese (and Yoruba). I think learning language (or perhaps anything) through music is really powerful and can't really stop listening to Portuguese songs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And hey, the drumming on these songs is pretty amazing too.</div><br />Inspiration: Mario Pam<br />Keeping the Ilê Aiyê train going, I want to spotlight another workshop leader: Mario Pam of Ilê Aiyê.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjWi8a8a6jE/XmQUoHZCvRI/AAAAAAAAquk/rjP2AJqLf0cC72ixSp8rDgY5OHOBw8p1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="770" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjWi8a8a6jE/XmQUoHZCvRI/AAAAAAAAquk/rjP2AJqLf0cC72ixSp8rDgY5OHOBw8p1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Master percussionist Mario Pam, from Salvador Bahia, Brazil, began his musical career in 1991 as a founding member of Ilê Aiyê’s youth group. In 2000, he became one of the directors of the professional adult ensemble. Since then he has been creating innovative repertory and directing 150+ percussionists during Carnaval. He has performed and/or taught in Brazil, Europe, the USA, and Africa. I'm hoping to add Canada to that list this year if we can manage to get him to Toronto for a show and a set of workshops.<br /><br />After learning from him during the Tambores do Mundo workshops, I got to see what a bright, jolly guy he is, even though we don't speak each other's languages. When I offered to translate what he was saying into my phone, he told me after our workshop that "today is a very special day", such a nice sentiment.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>One of the main reasons we came to Salvador was to connect with Pam through his project Tambores do Mundo, an association that promotes musical-percussive exchange between groups that perform Afro-Bahian music around the world.<br /><br />Afro-Bahian music is a huge part of local culture. Bands like Olodum, Ilê Aiyê, Muzenza and Malê Debalê are all examples of the musical expression of rhythm that were part of the popularization of this music worldwide. In efforts to further promote the music of Bahia, Tambores do Mundo is now in its twelfth year (and first with TDot Batu).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUXuPSHRYrQ/XmQUOK1jnhI/AAAAAAAAquY/VupxmFcasB89A8S6WXbmkQK19VdWUZsSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-07%2Bat%2B4.37.34%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1112" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUXuPSHRYrQ/XmQUOK1jnhI/AAAAAAAAquY/VupxmFcasB89A8S6WXbmkQK19VdWUZsSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-03-07%2Bat%2B4.37.34%2BPM.png" width="314" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>After our parade with Tambores Do Mundo - Mario is in the top center between Leon and Edwin.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjO6fcXW2jU/XmQUFb9WVGI/AAAAAAAAquU/YBrTPazERW09-PryPKqbJyueLv7wAEGlwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG-20200307-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1296" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjO6fcXW2jU/XmQUFb9WVGI/AAAAAAAAquU/YBrTPazERW09-PryPKqbJyueLv7wAEGlwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG-20200307-WA0000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before the Saída do Ilê Aiyê in Curuzu.</div><br />I really hope we can get Mario up to Canada in May. If so, I'll need to learn a bit more Portuguese ahead of time!Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-60491305721154907702020-03-03T21:29:00.002-05:002020-03-04T22:59:10.178-05:00Brazil Vol. 1: Olodum, Checking Privilege & Gilmario Marques<i>Weekly Update 2020-08: If you don't want to see me nerding out on Brazil for the next three weeks, best avoid me altogether. The first instalment of my trip to Brazil below!</i><br /><br />Music: <a href="https://playingforchange.com/musicians/olodum/">Olodum</a><br />One of Tdot Batu's major inspirations and the reason we travelled to Brazil is the famous band <i>Olodum</i>. One of the original bloco-afros from Salvador's Carnaval in Bahia, Brazil. The band was directed for many years by lead percussionist Neguinho do Samba, who created a mix of the traditional Brazilian samba beat with merengue, salsa, and reggae rhythms for the Carnaval of 1986. This became known as samba reggae, and the genre was born. Neguinho also introduced the concept of playing the repique with two sticks instead of one, which was the style at the time. Thanks to Pato for clarifying some of the facts above!<br /><br />It has travelled all around the world, the power of its beats changing hearts and minds everywhere. Including mine. And including that of Michael Jackson, who collaborated with the band and filmed his music video on the cobblestone streets of Pelourinho for 1996's <i>They Don't Care About Us</i>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QNJL6nfu__Q/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QNJL6nfu__Q?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>He may be cancelled, but at least he helped put Olodum on the map</i>.</div><br />Olodum also has an activism component, working to combat social discrimination, boost the self-esteem and pride of Afro-Brazilians, and defend and fight to secure civil and human rights for marginalized people in Brazil.<br /><br />It was absolutely amazing to see them perform (albeit somewhat crazy in the huge crowd), especially after several days of working with their band leaders to learn their beats. More on that below!<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/3tJ9PkBOrG7hFkHeNM2tbw" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />I finally finished the herculean effort of packing for my trip, then dragged my suitcase to BrainStation and taught my last class before heading off to the airport to Brazil that same evening.<br /><br />I arrived in Barra (BAH-ha) for the first leg of our trip. It's a lovely little beach area where one of the Carnaval circuits runs, not too far from Pelourinho where we'd be staying later.<br /><br />This was where I first learned of the power of the <i>trio eletrico </i>(or<i> </i>electric trio), literally a huge three-decker bus, pounding music through gigantic speakers and carrying famous singers and musicians performing on top. Each one was surrounded by tons and tons of patrygoers in various states of dress and drunkenness. It reminded me of the messy evenings at camping music festivals, glitter mixing with sweat, beer, and dirt...but times ten.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StSq_QXdFP8/Xl8RWSoUfhI/AAAAAAAAqqI/8qKiSrIaGFYkaMGwN72_TmH1DUD0eV3GACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_222440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StSq_QXdFP8/Xl8RWSoUfhI/AAAAAAAAqqI/8qKiSrIaGFYkaMGwN72_TmH1DUD0eV3GACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200216_222440.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsfo-0VXjaI/Xl8RWUJtdJI/AAAAAAAAqqI/bNLMAbB33skCLA4CPIvQqNNZuyi8jVE_wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_223721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsfo-0VXjaI/Xl8RWUJtdJI/AAAAAAAAqqI/bNLMAbB33skCLA4CPIvQqNNZuyi8jVE_wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200216_223721.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3plJrEfbs3g/Xl8RWW2jN-I/AAAAAAAAqqI/XVpjWVTL4_c5HuDHqYyAb28oYwCDN00RACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_225520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3plJrEfbs3g/Xl8RWW2jN-I/AAAAAAAAqqI/XVpjWVTL4_c5HuDHqYyAb28oYwCDN00RACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200216_225520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />On Sunday we began the workshops in earnest, vising Jair Rezende in Candeal for a full day of learning at his studio.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxh2sKIPnqk/Xl8RWSjkkCI/AAAAAAAAqqI/0joPLH184aspnP7RZRI7SkpVixrhH847wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_093312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxh2sKIPnqk/Xl8RWSjkkCI/AAAAAAAAqqI/0joPLH184aspnP7RZRI7SkpVixrhH847wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200216_093312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />After too short a time in the lovely area of Barra, we packed into a van and moved to our Pelourinho home for the next week. I picked up my custom-made drum and we headed to one of the Carnaval squares to practice with Tambores e Cores (Mestre Pacote do Pelo and his son Junior Souza).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AE3OWdBpNJs/Xl8RWf8iHOI/AAAAAAAAqqI/xtXR3THMSgA8OLJyM7PI0-d38c4HQJdJACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200217_115157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AE3OWdBpNJs/Xl8RWf8iHOI/AAAAAAAAqqI/xtXR3THMSgA8OLJyM7PI0-d38c4HQJdJACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200217_115157.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />The afternoon was spent practicing with Adriana Portela in the cobblestone streets and into the night after the sun went down on our three-plus-hour practice. Many people came around to watch us, including Anton who appeared out of the mist with his luggage. Apparently he had found us by our sound :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFg9k3uE4yI/Xl8RmECym8I/AAAAAAAAqqM/YuVPHU54fCYQWVTXCohCBWz19QTysWpeQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200217_182838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFg9k3uE4yI/Xl8RmECym8I/AAAAAAAAqqM/YuVPHU54fCYQWVTXCohCBWz19QTysWpeQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200217_182838.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Reunited with Adriana again!!</i></div><br />That night we bought tickets to see Cortejo Afro, a drumming and performance show that was simply awesome. It was also a preview to see Mestre Gordo, who we'd be workshopping with a few days later in Piraja.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQVN9BPB5KU/Xl8RmG3R8wI/AAAAAAAAqqM/FZA36Xg0m9Yjl-YZkIZlITtwKMz3oYZqACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200217_214928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQVN9BPB5KU/Xl8RmG3R8wI/AAAAAAAAqqM/FZA36Xg0m9Yjl-YZkIZlITtwKMz3oYZqACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200217_214928.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><i>People were already dressing up for Carnaval.</i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAKgOR1CTLE/Xl8RmH6kuAI/AAAAAAAAqqM/UEwM4aEYxXQwC5A6ZiFfkV4zslLuAUpEgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200217_220444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAKgOR1CTLE/Xl8RmH6kuAI/AAAAAAAAqqM/UEwM4aEYxXQwC5A6ZiFfkV4zslLuAUpEgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200217_220444.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />On Tuesday morning we had the pleasure of working with Gilmario Marques, one of the professors of Olodum and Mestre for his own band Movimento Percussivo. He took us parading in the streets of Pelourinho to the main stage, drawing all sorts of attention which was really cool. More on him in the inspiration section below.<br /><br />That afternoon we had our first practice with Tambores Do Mundo - a program bringing drummers from countries all over the world to come and parade together under the watchful eye of Ile Aiye's very own Mario Pam, Patinho Axe and Alex Rosa. Basically a star-studded cast of drummers.<br /><br />The view was fantastic, in this high fortress specified for capoeira and drumming.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKbaUtPy39M/Xl8Ry9zl-GI/AAAAAAAAqqU/0R3OCyt3QzAdw72bl8Gydtht2oeFJsl1QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200218_142718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKbaUtPy39M/Xl8Ry9zl-GI/AAAAAAAAqqU/0R3OCyt3QzAdw72bl8Gydtht2oeFJsl1QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200218_142718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EObBEbNSLIg/Xl8Ry28-s9I/AAAAAAAAqqU/ZSGkt3Gbk4Itasi_uNA7IQGbBmMUQa_igCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200218_180802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EObBEbNSLIg/Xl8Ry28-s9I/AAAAAAAAqqU/ZSGkt3Gbk4Itasi_uNA7IQGbBmMUQa_igCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200218_180802.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My second sighting of Ile Aiye's famous Perfil Azeviche (Dark Profile).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gELJFmKG4q4/Xl8Ry1_u6_I/AAAAAAAAqqU/aex2A0tqCAcr1_1HJ6wI3h7AIgG2VfD6QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200218_181635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gELJFmKG4q4/Xl8Ry1_u6_I/AAAAAAAAqqU/aex2A0tqCAcr1_1HJ6wI3h7AIgG2VfD6QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200218_181635.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Goal:<br />Lots more workshops coming, along with a stroll down the Carnaval circuit with Olodum (equal parts scary and exciting).<br /><br />Random Thought: First Take on Brazil<br />It didn't take long to notice the wealth gap in this country. The way people handle their personal belongings with extra care and stow their money in travel belts under their clothes is a hint at the underlying feeling in the air.<br /><br />I was told originally not to take my phone out of my lodgings with me at all, and yet I did risk it several times when I probably shouldn't have. A mixture of luck and common sense kept me from losing anything. My friends weren't so lucky, some of them having phones stolen, but I think we all came out ahead compared to the stories of other tourists in bigger cities like Rio De Janeiro or Sao Paolo. Salvador seemed pretty chilled out (though only comparatively to other Brazilian cities) and Pelourinho especially felt safe on the well-lit streets. Though even in relaxed moments I never really felt vacation-safe until we moved to Praia Do Forte later in the trip.<br /><br />I kept my hands directly on bags containing my valuables at all times, always watching who was standing around me in tight crowds (trying to surround myself with my friends and cover them too), and used a money belt inside my pants with a flowy top that concealed the bulge. Success.<br /><br />I was mentally reminding myself to check my privilege at all times, noting the characteristics of traveling to a developing country. Pato explained the reality to me that white people especially are seen as a walking ATM to those affected most by poverty. Most people I ran into did not speak English, but I did try to pick up some conversational Portuguese (enough to order food or ask the price of something in a market). Overall people seemed pretty warm and friendly, though the language gap with English is a bit tough! I really like the sound of the language of Portuguese spoken by Brazilians, it sounds very warm and the letters kind of lick your brain a little.<br /><br />Inspiration: Gilmario Marques<br />We had a very special morning on Tuesday with Gilmario Marques: member of Olodum and professor in the Escola Olodum. He taught us some of his band Movimento Percussivo's breaks and beats, and was overall just a really nice and chill guy. Through translation of his Portuguese, he told us that we shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes while learning because they're part of the learning process (you listening, Pato?) and that we should learn to play first before we move or dance at the same time.<br /><br />After a practice under a tent in the pouring rain overlooking a beautiful view of pastel-coloured houses, We took to the streets of Pelourinho to do a short parade. I appreciated that Gilmario felt we were ready to try practicing in the streets, which are definitely a feat of their own.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OabfbSyJPdk/Xl8RmEMBDgI/AAAAAAAAqqM/F9dFwT1fOsEu4bbJUrZHkLK6i1lRwIZhQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200218_115841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OabfbSyJPdk/Xl8RmEMBDgI/AAAAAAAAqqM/F9dFwT1fOsEu4bbJUrZHkLK6i1lRwIZhQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200218_115841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMKZ0fxt_J4/Xl8RmD7aBQI/AAAAAAAAqqM/iZq_BV2Tps4jq26VGpaxIFVOLK48TbZBwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200218_123227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMKZ0fxt_J4/Xl8RmD7aBQI/AAAAAAAAqqM/iZq_BV2Tps4jq26VGpaxIFVOLK48TbZBwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200218_123227.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />It was so cool to practice with Gilmario on Tuesday (above) and then see him perform with Olodum only four days later (below). Simply unreal.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSYSNe0KsVI/Xl8ST6NrfJI/AAAAAAAAqqc/XPDzsPVugY0RxkNCLCJGjYb8b2UbazehgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200221_191005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSYSNe0KsVI/Xl8ST6NrfJI/AAAAAAAAqqc/XPDzsPVugY0RxkNCLCJGjYb8b2UbazehgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20200221_191005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>So sad I didn't get this pic with him on Friday night, but here's Barbara instead :)</i></div>Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-53026487051059465082020-02-11T19:44:00.001-05:002020-02-11T19:44:24.418-05:00Late of the Pier, Coding Keyboards & Stained Glass Video<i>Weekly Update 2020-07: I'm late to the game on electronic musicians Late of the Pier, an examination into why there aren't more designed keyboards specifically for coding, and a wonderful interactive music video for a Real Estate song.</i><br /><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B89iJTh57g/XkNJKvX4cPI/AAAAAAAApoA/NQZNfWdjC0U9NeanMLU_96J1p1TRzFw-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="789" height="186" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B89iJTh57g/XkNJKvX4cPI/AAAAAAAApoA/NQZNfWdjC0U9NeanMLU_96J1p1TRzFw-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More below!</div><br />Music: Late of the Pier<br />Quite possibly one of my missed discoveries from the electronica era of 2007, Late Of The Pier from Castle Donington, England was certainly a staple of the scene with delightful, tongue-in-cheek synth melodies that I just can't get out of my head...only thirteen years later.<br /><br />Upon further inspection I remembered that the band's lead singer Sam Eastgate is none other than LA Priest (<a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2018/01/la-priest-biomimicry-tsumori-chisato.html">previously blogged here</a>). So I have certainly gone backwards in my listening to this musical metamorphosis, but I can definitely see the relation between two high-energy, if different, sets of music.<br /><br />And yet, Late of the Pier only produced one LP, 2008's <i>Fantasy Black Channel,</i> which you can listen to in all its glory below.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/08MTKoAy7sggTqeQNcvDdi" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />I finished marking all the briefs (with the help of my associate Tamira), this class is running quite smoothly so far I must say. All the students also handed in their assignments properly, on time (except one student who was 2 minutes late - can I round down?), and it was such a joy to see. Another reminder that I could never handle myself in a classroom full of unruly children.<br /><br />I also managed to pack everything I think I'll need for my trip, all into one carry-on suitcase. Now as long as they don't weigh it (or possibly even measure the depth), I'm good.<br /><br />Goal:<br />I've got half a class to teach on Thursday night and then I head straight to airport from Union on the UP Express. It seems crazy that I'm dragging a suitcase all the way downtown but this seems to make the most sense and might be the most straightforward journey to the airport that I've taken. I won't be sorry to wave goodbye to the snow and welcome the blazing, blazing sun into my life for the next two weeks.<br /><br />My goal is to do my darnedest not to get overwhelmed on this trip. I don't think I'll have enough signal (or wherewithal) to write posts so I'll see you next on February 28 when I'm back!<br /><br />Random Thought:<br />I was typing out some HTML the other day as I do from time to time, and thinking that the standard QWERTY keyboard is simply awkward for typing out code. Now perhaps it's because I am out of practice in typing out an HTML "sentence" in the same way I am used to typing an English sentence, but this keyboard design just doesn't seem optimized for that job. And yet I don't think I've ever met a developer who used an alternative to the QWERTY keyboard. This seems quite strange to me, especially as there have even been advancements beyond QWERTY for English keyboardists. Since developers tend to be an industrious bunch (by nature of their job), I am really surprised this hasn't been further investigated.<br /><br />At the very least, I could attest that longer fingers would certainly make one's coding tasks a lot easier. Even keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys are a further modification to improve one's speed and accuracy, but still nothing has really been done to the keyboard itself. Is it that programming languages have such varying syntaxes that no single keyboard design would suit them all, or even a majority of them?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7bvTfGBJnI/XkIMHz66BqI/AAAAAAAApnU/FaElMLw8sHUgEB0Vz9KM6b46BIqqp-C7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7bvTfGBJnI/XkIMHz66BqI/AAAAAAAApnU/FaElMLw8sHUgEB0Vz9KM6b46BIqqp-C7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A quick google search revealed the keyboard above as the top ergonomic choice for developers, and yet upon close inspection you can see it's still a variation on QWERTY, but with a separation of left-side keys from right. </div><br />Inspiration: Stained Glass Video<br />This one's been in the blog backlog pretty much since it came out, but I just remembered in the other day as I was marking a particularly interesting student brief on a sound production online portfolio. My BrainStation students have the choice between three things for their term project: a new app/website idea to fulfill a need, an improvement to an existing one, or the design of their own online portfolio. I usually lead students toward the first two and away from the portfolio since they need to produce work before they can build a showcase for it, but here I got this cool curveball of an idea.<br /><br />This student wants to build an online portfolio for his design work as well as his sound projects, which excites me on a few levels. There are so many cool visualizations one can treat overtop sound, plus I find sound to add such a level of immersion to projects that visuals alone cannot compare to. Of course auto-play controls are a big accessibility no-no, but allowing the user enough control to meet those needs, while also curating a path of discovery, can be so cool. <br /><br />So, I've been sitting on this wonderful piece of interactive design since a certain song came out in 2017:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stainedglassvideo.com/"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="1386" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E80IyYh9_Vo/XkNIT7d35OI/AAAAAAAApn0/mOYHJOgSuisD6m9ivbcK_zbZJ7h5ROEfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-02-11%2Bat%2B7.35.08%2BPM.png" width="290" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stainedglassvideo.com/">Click the image above to see the project...</a></div><br />Real Estate released <i>Stained Glass</i> in 2017, I even saw them when they toured <a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2017/05/real-estate-colour-blind-interfaces.html">Toronto</a>. And yet the project holds up pretty well over time. I have been noticing some pretty cool interactive music videos, though few and far between, are really impressing me with interesting interactions mixed with great music.<br /><br />Especially when considering that the music video format has died down a little with the death of cable television, this seems like the right way to go for appealing to this online audience who may never have heard of this band before. Plus, it's just so fun to colour in the band members while they play me a little tune. Thanks, Real Estate!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B89iJTh57g/XkNJKvX4cPI/AAAAAAAApoA/NQZNfWdjC0U9NeanMLU_96J1p1TRzFw-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="789" height="186" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2B89iJTh57g/XkNJKvX4cPI/AAAAAAAApoA/NQZNfWdjC0U9NeanMLU_96J1p1TRzFw-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.gif" width="320" /></a></div>The project was created by <a href="https://www.wk.com/">Wieden + Kennedy</a> group creative director Craig Allen, alongside <a href="https://www.mediamonks.com/about">MediaMonks</a>.<br /><br />I can't wait to see what my student comes up with for his project.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-86615854957760718942020-02-09T17:47:00.000-05:002020-02-09T17:54:04.084-05:00Grizzly Bear, Bidirectional Mentorship & Najah Raya's Ephemeral<i>Weekly Update 2020-06: Baroque pop coming in dreamy waves from Grizzly Bear, the joys and upsides of bidirectional mentorship and Najah Raya's dreamlike 2019 thesis collection of wearable art.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u09XcIEQECM/XkBdGL0ZewI/AAAAAAAApek/3UjQuy4a1dAFI6_magkuWB4SLbCsk9ZBACEwYBhgL/s1600/83523097_2646718112050260_8655100193751957504_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u09XcIEQECM/XkBdGL0ZewI/AAAAAAAApek/3UjQuy4a1dAFI6_magkuWB4SLbCsk9ZBACEwYBhgL/s320/83523097_2646718112050260_8655100193751957504_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A hint of Raya's work - see more below.</i></div><br />Music: <a href="http://grizzly-bear.net/">Grizzly Bear</a><br />What can I say about this band, except that they roped me in with their 2009 release <i>Veckatimest</i> and never let me go. Each band member's extreme precision and craft in sound making is unparalleled in their chosen genre of Baroque Pop, lest they bleed the edges of any genre around them and create music perhaps even more beautiful.<br /><br />One of the true cores of my music tastes is this Brooklyn-spun band, formed in the shape of lead signer Edward Droste producing music in his bedroom. He soon teamed up with one of my perhaps favourite musicians Christopher Bear, who provided extra instrumentation and vocals. Soon Chris Taylor and Daniel Rossen joined, with Rossen eventually contributing more to the songwriting and lyrics. This is the juicy part, around 2009's <i>Veckatimest</i>, when Rossen and Droste began experimenting with layering their vocals together on songs instead of assigning separate songs to each other. Very Wolf Parade, a la 2007.<br /><br />I do of course suggest starting with Veckatimest, then move any direction that suits you.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/6FIFqclBriPCb0SjWDaHIk" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />I attended another Spelling Bae this week, this time with Eric who enjoyed it more than Matt did when I managed to drag him along. He did well! I managed to make it to the fourth round until I was amazed to realize that yes, the band Led Zeppelin had indeed spelled the word Zeppelin correctly. The UI handoff tool Zeplin certainly led me astray. If only I had blogged about either band earlier...<br /><br />Vena sponsored ElleHacks at York University again this year - I only had time to visit on the Friday night of the full-weekend all-female hackathon, but it was still really enriching. I got to hear first-night pitches, talk about my experiences as a designer out of school, and hang out with the final cohort of YSDN students, 2022 graduates. One of them really amazed me - when I asked her what her favourite class was, she responded the way I would have, looking deep into my heart: third year Materials and Methods with Angela Iarocci (yes, several years later she is still teaching the same course). The student even showed me her project, so COOL:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-D-6ucxJnA/Xjtb6F6VxpI/AAAAAAAApZE/iazGfbP4hVQWMhfBnQUL2eOteHXU1rT5QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200131_221320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-D-6ucxJnA/Xjtb6F6VxpI/AAAAAAAApZE/iazGfbP4hVQWMhfBnQUL2eOteHXU1rT5QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200131_221320.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I took a little zip up to the fourth floor to visit my old classrooms and labs, nothing's changed and everything's changed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtkg9wAdHk4/Xjtb6HflkiI/AAAAAAAApZE/Bd3ZI2vUUNQckQaf1WBayWr4uTik_HV3QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200131_225748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtkg9wAdHk4/Xjtb6HflkiI/AAAAAAAApZE/Bd3ZI2vUUNQckQaf1WBayWr4uTik_HV3QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200131_225748.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Sunday was our fundraising show, which was really quite lovely actually. Shoutout to Maracatu Mar Aberto and Batucada Carioca for playing alongside us, as well as Cibelle Iglesias for bringing her beautiful voice to accompany our rhythms. I finally convinced some friends to come, namely Kaylin (who helped to sell food) and Eric (who filmed some of the show). Not one of our biggest shows but very lovely indeed. The capoeira was awesome and they even started a group dance which reminded me a little of a bat mitzvah.<br /><br />Goal:<br />This weekend my sister has entered us into a puzzle competition hosted by a games store in Fairview Mall (second year in a row!), though she knows she could just do it alone and probably win...I'm just there to fill a seat and sort through piles she gives me. It was pretty fun last year, and every team goes home with a free puzzle, so we're all winners<br /><br />In more exciting news, I found a great beater drum kit through Kijiji from a nice man in High Park - he even delivered it to my office in Liberty Village, all for $175. I'll have to replace some of the heads...the snare is looking particularly beat up, but I think it was still a great deal. Just having the kit in the office is a wonderful mental state for me, even if I don't have time to play it (or really, understand what needs to be fixed) yet. I do eventually plan to watch a bunch more YouTube videos on how to tune it and set it up properly, and then probably take a bunch of photos to show the drum people at Long and McQuade so they can help me figure out what skins to replace and such.<br /><br />I could have purchased a more expensive kit in better shape, but I think the skins will really fix this right up and it'll give me a chance to learn more about tuning and maintaining kits. Not to mention that there's a Long and McQuade on my way home from work - so it'll be really easy!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1ApCqCCD9w/XkA-7cHmWfI/AAAAAAAApdE/Ef43l4C7Lew1et4zji6y3urxern-HZiLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1ApCqCCD9w/XkA-7cHmWfI/AAAAAAAApdE/Ef43l4C7Lew1et4zji6y3urxern-HZiLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I'll upload a better photo once it's in playable shape.</i></div><br />Something to look forward to when I come back from Brazil - if I'm not totally sick of drumming by then.<br /><br />Random Thought: Bidirectional Mentorship<br />I am really into the idea of mentorship in my workplace lately, the ability to share ideas and pay forward all the skills that have been passed down to me in my career so far. Peer mentoring has been sitting especially pleasantly with me, in scenarios where I can sit with peers and exchange knowledge (especially across disciplines or across skills within a discipline). Such instances between two developers is coined as "pair programming", aka two developers sitting at one computer with one mouse and keyboard. One "drives", using the keyboard and mouse, while the other "navigates" using their words to guide the other's actions. In such a method the learning is unidirectional from navigator to driver, though the navigator can benefit in some ways as well.<br /><br />It reminds me of the old silly game with two people - one is blindfolded and holding a pen and paper while the other directs them in drawing something with only they voice.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zk5UP74jhM/XkBaljQY4eI/AAAAAAAApdQ/_6Nc71GxDCgkEQWR4rlipZ-4RuLIfdSUwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zk5UP74jhM/XkBaljQY4eI/AAAAAAAApdQ/_6Nc71GxDCgkEQWR4rlipZ-4RuLIfdSUwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1249.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pictured: my sister directing her friend Adam to draw a fruit bowl while blindfolded.</i></div><br />I really like running brainstorming sessions and workshops where attendees can discuss concepts and experiment as a group rather than just two people. It's similar energy but presented in a way that's less unidirectional. I wonder if pair programming works at a level beyond two people, or even in alternate configurations like one person using the keyboard and the other using the mouse.<br /><br />Inspiration: Najah Raya's <i>Ephemeral</i><br />I came across one of the most beautiful collections of wearables I have even seen today. Shared in a random Facebook group by the artist Najah Raya is a collection called <i>Ephemeral</i>, her thesis project for fashion design. Just take a look, I'll meet you at the bottom.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u09XcIEQECM/XkBdGL0ZewI/AAAAAAAApdw/BP4jhizOdbEcZDqBu73a0VzNF8acsknsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/83523097_2646718112050260_8655100193751957504_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u09XcIEQECM/XkBdGL0ZewI/AAAAAAAApdw/BP4jhizOdbEcZDqBu73a0VzNF8acsknsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/83523097_2646718112050260_8655100193751957504_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Txl-tInhkFI/XkBdFLr_XsI/AAAAAAAApdk/EW9G7h7Fy5M68WGxF7tS_iHLLg6qO9QMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/83182472_2646706295384775_1653431352327929856_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Txl-tInhkFI/XkBdFLr_XsI/AAAAAAAApdk/EW9G7h7Fy5M68WGxF7tS_iHLLg6qO9QMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/83182472_2646706295384775_1653431352327929856_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNU3ogiEAPU/XkBdE8Y1UFI/AAAAAAAApdc/8dNsoSXXG6oKXCyWgXkqXetlxKw707wwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/83241301_2646706795384725_2307247420569812992_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PNU3ogiEAPU/XkBdE8Y1UFI/AAAAAAAApdc/8dNsoSXXG6oKXCyWgXkqXetlxKw707wwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/83241301_2646706795384725_2307247420569812992_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zduq4zfDpHM/XkBdFKMKgZI/AAAAAAAApdg/bB_etI5EcSEd3eKW7eFaDVRNUt3zxVhXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/83325988_2646706165384788_7591887168545488896_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zduq4zfDpHM/XkBdFKMKgZI/AAAAAAAApdg/bB_etI5EcSEd3eKW7eFaDVRNUt3zxVhXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/83325988_2646706165384788_7591887168545488896_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yua379xjuCk/XkBdFgM-5yI/AAAAAAAApdo/X1pk5898LSk7gBXQfmTdQj84xhRSrFYlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/83427793_2646706005384804_8226036461279903744_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yua379xjuCk/XkBdFgM-5yI/AAAAAAAApdo/X1pk5898LSk7gBXQfmTdQj84xhRSrFYlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/83427793_2646706005384804_8226036461279903744_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-0o6qQQFpw/XkBdF61Lq7I/AAAAAAAApds/R7TSFw6Zh5URrqBrrg4CqpVHqncfo6zkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/83521946_2646704388718299_1435303286352642048_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D-0o6qQQFpw/XkBdF61Lq7I/AAAAAAAApds/R7TSFw6Zh5URrqBrrg4CqpVHqncfo6zkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/83521946_2646704388718299_1435303286352642048_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2BFCRhezc2M/XkBdHagJC6I/AAAAAAAApeE/Eiq1qvPU-fwZR1tCP_VNozpu7zY2nGETwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/84086183_2646704955384909_8372552965570953216_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2BFCRhezc2M/XkBdHagJC6I/AAAAAAAApeE/Eiq1qvPU-fwZR1tCP_VNozpu7zY2nGETwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/84086183_2646704955384909_8372552965570953216_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxK6ybe3Cnw/XkBdHmIuxxI/AAAAAAAApeI/b6qaMcYHvwkFCqHplveWoC5XKVRXs-C4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/84205652_2646706048718133_7002787976757379072_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxK6ybe3Cnw/XkBdHmIuxxI/AAAAAAAApeI/b6qaMcYHvwkFCqHplveWoC5XKVRXs-C4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/84205652_2646706048718133_7002787976757379072_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByHMq5nonDU/XkBdHy0qJVI/AAAAAAAApeM/m2ecc-RzzrMsN3Hemk8oxwa_stUF5I95QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/84240920_2646702608718477_2503600723908886528_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByHMq5nonDU/XkBdHy0qJVI/AAAAAAAApeM/m2ecc-RzzrMsN3Hemk8oxwa_stUF5I95QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/84240920_2646702608718477_2503600723908886528_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApiyboAY7fw/XkBdIMUuKoI/AAAAAAAApeQ/EtPRGOSygvEB_P39IW8iE7TmEofL_oapACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/84262065_2646704218718316_4544196019029540864_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApiyboAY7fw/XkBdIMUuKoI/AAAAAAAApeQ/EtPRGOSygvEB_P39IW8iE7TmEofL_oapACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/84262065_2646704218718316_4544196019029540864_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />I am simply in love with the mixture of soft and harsh textures, the colour palette that balances fresh and electric with something perhaps blank and empty...it stands alone as a striking collection that gives each piece a chance to shine in its own right.<br /><br />Upon learning more about the piece, she likens her treatment of the fabrics in multiple ways to the service of hospice care, especially so the Home Hospice Organization of Lebanon. Part of the artist's statement below:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Hospice care is a form of medical care that provides pain-relieving assistance by way of medical, psychological and social care to terminally ill patients - thus focusing on the symptoms rather than a cure - and making their last days with their loved ones as calm, dignified and meaningful as possible. Having witnessed the bittersweet beauty of hospice care up close through her work with SANAD, The Home Hospice Organization of Lebanon (which is the first NGO to deliver this type of care in Lebanon without charges) Najah Raya was inspired to shine a light on living with a terminal illness, the life sheltered in those final precious moments, the certainty of our mortality and how we can make our final moments both beautiful and memorable.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Thus, Najah presents a collection that showcases the ironic dualities that preside at the end of life; bold but delicate, busy yet calm, hopeful but accepting and vibrant yet minimal. Ultimately, she chose to express how these moments are somber, but beautiful.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Conveyed through edgy structures on one hand, and draping with romantic silhouettes on the other, the aspects of this duality are evident throughout.</blockquote>See more of Raya's work <a href="https://creativespacebeirut.com/2018-Najah-Raya">here</a>.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-67414158845543744572020-02-04T23:33:00.002-05:002020-02-04T23:41:27.905-05:00Thin Mind, Active Listening & DesignTO: Week 2<i>Weekly Update 2020-05: A new album from an old favourite Wolf Parade, thinking about how best to display listening skills and my final victory lap for DesignTO.</i><br /><br />Music: <a href="https://wolfparade.bandcamp.com/album/thin-mind">Thin Mind</a><br />It's not every day I get to talk about a new album from one of my all-time favourite bands, Canadian indie post-punk revival rock band Wolf Parade. My boys Spencer Krug, Dan Boeckner and Arlen Thompson are at it again with another absolute gem of a record <i>Thin Mind</i>. Now let's be real and say that it can't knock <i>Expo '86</i> off the top for my favourite album, but it's every bit of what I love about the band. Both Spencer's and Dan's vocals are extremely weird and unique in their own way, and they keep reinventing ways to mix their sounds within songs as they began experimenting with in sophomore album <i>At Mount Zoomer</i>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-778HNOd76wE/XjpGYacM9gI/AAAAAAAApX4/1L-DnC-kMUstrPuTUoQ8rsDsPO9KTXhLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-778HNOd76wE/XjpGYacM9gI/AAAAAAAApX4/1L-DnC-kMUstrPuTUoQ8rsDsPO9KTXhLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Songs like <i>Julia, Take Your Man Home</i> and<i> Forest Green</i> are instant hits to me, and it's pretty cool that I got to hear them live at the Danforth Music Hall before they were released. It's another winner for me! If nothing else in 2020 can be good, let it be the new music that brings us joy.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/61ZqkpqmXBAgtCYfJOZ5s6" width="300"></iframe></center><br /><br />Accomplishment:<br />First class of the semester is complete! This class is a little smaller than the last one, plus we're on the fourth floor this time which, while definitely getting me out of breath on all those crooked wooden stairs, is giving me really good feels with its unique plain white wall where there are bricks on other floors. I'm really digging it. Plus, this class seems pretty cool, always a great mix of professions and backgrounds of people to meet.<br /><br />I got some quality time with Ashleigh, my friend from Bike Raves, to wander around the Japanese neighbourhood at Dundas and Bay and sample some of the famous asian pastries and savouries. My personal favourite was the Yuzu Sencha Matcha hot green tea, which made me think I probably would enjoy hot bubble tea, if only cold bubble tea ever became less alluring. Probably not gonna happen though.<br /><br />DesignTO has come to a close for another year - though the exhibit in my work building will stay around until after I leave for Brazil which is nice. Read about my last week of exploring below.<br /><br />Goal:<br />My Brazil trip is really creeping up now and I'm freaking out juuuuuuust a little. I might have more time to freak out if work weren't killing me. So I only have time to focus on the positives:<br /><ol><li>My parents helped me figure out the logistical issue of transporting a drum home (yay, thank you!) and my dad shows again that he is a master packer of all items and instances</li><li>I had a small glimpse of pure sunshine on a bike ride the other day (it felt like this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-ppr9LDaQE">Portlandia sketch</a>) and realized that I am feeling extremely sun deprived right now - can't wait for that sun. I can't wait to be so hot that I want to come back to snow.</li><li>I found a cool bug spray with icaridin that's supposed to be the most effective according to the <a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2020/01/lone-january-motivation-bloodsuckers.html">Bloodsuckers</a> exhibit I visited with Sasha back in December! Here's a photo of the exhibit that I found on Google Photos while inside Shoppers Drug Mart, and then located a nifty 100mL bottle of it! </li></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TBpx4HwDbk/XjpEBE-Mu1I/AAAAAAAApXs/vf-eczuGxZQYKDlXGEXFPYzU46CKlX7WwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191226_115017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TBpx4HwDbk/XjpEBE-Mu1I/AAAAAAAApXs/vf-eczuGxZQYKDlXGEXFPYzU46CKlX7WwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191226_115017.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />This week I'm going to check out Spelling Bae in its new venue at Pennies on Strachan, it's been a while since the last one I attended!<br /><br />Vena is sponsoring ElleHacks at York again this year, I don't have as much time to visit but I am stoked to meet the cool young hackers of Gen Z and all their cool ideas. It's also in my old school building at York this year, which is going to be a trip. I always end up going back there to visit for some reason or another. Maybe next time I'll go see how Scott Library has changed...I've been curious about that!<br /><br />Sunday is my band's fundraiser show at Lula Lounge - I keep joking that there is only a small overlap between fans of Brazilian percussion and fans of the Superbowl - and that overlap is all my friends and family. Still, I've got two confirmed people: Kaylin and Eric are in for a treat!<br /><br />Random Thought:<br />This week is a doozy - I've got four interviews for our new designer position. Among the more important aspects of evaluation, I'm taking it as an opportunity to better myself as well. Honestly, I find so much communication comes through body language, and I want to practice my listening face. I noticed in this video of AOC from MLK Day that her counterpart in the interview produced a few too many sounds of solidarity ("mhmm", "yeah") and it detracted slightly from AOC's message. I vow not to be this person:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lAnRUepeb_U/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lAnRUepeb_U?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Wonderful speech, as always from AOC, on how Billionaires can only take from others.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think a simple nod every now and then is more than sufficient, focusing on what the other person is saying rather than putting too much effort into portraying listening visual cues. We'll see how it goes, since I'll get the chance to try it out over 6 working hours of interviews this week.</div><br />Inspiration: DesignTO Week 2<br />The second of my two weeks of DesignTO was simply lovely. On Tuesday I went to a talk on Canadian furniture design in the hip EQ3 Liberty Village - which allowed me to bask a little further in the joy of working in a neighbourhood that pays homage to the festival.<br /><br />The talk was somewhat interesting, dissecting the meaning of Canadian design in a multicultural and cross-pollinated world, but honestly I found people in the crowd to have bigger personalities than the panel. An exuberant gentlemen in a fancy suit and interesting eyeglasses seemed to feel the Q&A questions weren't hard hitting enough and threw one out from left field on the panel speakers, which they scrambled gleefully to answer. One woman in the crowd went on a very long diatribe (regrettably as the final question of the Q&A) about urbanism and the overall crumbling of our society, and the poor moderator didn't have the heart to interrupt her, until the previous fancy suited-man actually did so with a large "excuse me" and that ended the evening. Hilarious.<br /><br />More soul filling than humourous was my Saturday walk along the curve of Dundas toward Roncesvalles. This crawl is my hip new yearly addition to DesignTO since last year's walk, following a visit to Stamen and Pistil Botanicals to make a Kokedama as a gift from Erika. That year was memorably extremely snowy, though I definitely made it out there and even all the way over to MOCCA into their delightfully SAD-curing white-light room.<br /><br />This year was certainly easier to navigate with much less snow on the ground, and less of a biting cold. I truly enjoyed the exhibit at the shop Easy Tiger Goods near the start of my crawl. The window was filled with the window display - three items for "purchase" for when the world's supply of oxygen becomes too depleted. A mask to cover one's face (we all know what that's for - though this was pre-coronavirus!), a mouth instrument that blocks air to train the lungs to be able to work harder, and a perfume that smells like oxygen (because it will become such a luxury).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6r724L1pmQ/XjpDhLj02xI/AAAAAAAApXk/FoCwTB59m348c_D70SeiX8yxbi_33U6PgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200125_152923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6r724L1pmQ/XjpDhLj02xI/AAAAAAAApXk/FoCwTB59m348c_D70SeiX8yxbi_33U6PgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200125_152923.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://designto.org/event/future-breathing-store-2038-an-alternative-perspective-towards-urban-pollution-2/"><i>More info on the art exhibit above</i></a></div><br />The store also had a simply wonderful array of funky objects, from blobby, brightly coloured candles to weird-shaped pipes and smoking glassware to handmade pottery. I had a nice chat with the owner about her particularly inspsired collection of items as well as the store decoration itself. Check out that radiator!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajGjrGqaV3A/XjpDhCb7bSI/AAAAAAAApXk/FOy7Mz_H3GgiuqvBYU9BoIvWgLzqawlHgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200125_153608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajGjrGqaV3A/XjpDhCb7bSI/AAAAAAAApXk/FOy7Mz_H3GgiuqvBYU9BoIvWgLzqawlHgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200125_153608.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7oUjpTsY14/XjpDhMORsPI/AAAAAAAApXk/y0MLAugQbpEv2RbDGB1pV81RgGi8z99rwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200125_153612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7oUjpTsY14/XjpDhMORsPI/AAAAAAAApXk/y0MLAugQbpEv2RbDGB1pV81RgGi8z99rwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200125_153612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84AHcR-R86c/XjpDhLuz-VI/AAAAAAAApXk/hkTSsktxT0YeJknrN40irDFxdmMqkslEgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200125_153647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84AHcR-R86c/XjpDhLuz-VI/AAAAAAAApXk/hkTSsktxT0YeJknrN40irDFxdmMqkslEgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200125_153647.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />After that it was a zig zag across Dundas all the way to Roncesvalles, and down to a hip little shop called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/313DesignMarket/about/">313 Design Market</a> to see a window display and exhibition made out of lego bricks. It was at once so fun and so serious in the way the blocks were laid out in different colours. The artist suggests that all the supposed "perfect cities" of our history have failed because they lacked one thing - a sense of playfulness. That is definitely showcased here!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3W1di-fpM0/XjpDhKt5EPI/AAAAAAAApXk/HN2vtKZrPawKCCPcgL4WYJBHFSdHw6fkwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200125_171353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3W1di-fpM0/XjpDhKt5EPI/AAAAAAAApXk/HN2vtKZrPawKCCPcgL4WYJBHFSdHw6fkwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200125_171353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozFPW1z8YsE/XjpDhFNtFAI/AAAAAAAApXk/xkuy-H6qoSA4erzpIjBEaU4a7V0Oi-zCgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200125_171402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozFPW1z8YsE/XjpDhFNtFAI/AAAAAAAApXk/xkuy-H6qoSA4erzpIjBEaU4a7V0Oi-zCgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200125_171402.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2irBcIjpakY/XjpDhHBM8lI/AAAAAAAApXk/HSXw0q7dZGkeGE7rvGDNjd1dN75xQCMUQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200125_171610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2irBcIjpakY/XjpDhHBM8lI/AAAAAAAApXk/HSXw0q7dZGkeGE7rvGDNjd1dN75xQCMUQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200125_171610.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://designto.org/event/toying-with-utopia/"><i>More info on the art exhibit above</i></a></div><br />The store itself sells a curated collection all kinds of cool, high-end designer goods for kitchen and home.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-39467961626776478492020-01-28T23:18:00.000-05:002020-02-04T21:34:31.679-05:00Sea Wolf, Folk vs. Country & DesignTO: Week 1<i>Weekly Update 2020-04: Nostalgic alternative folk from Sea Wolf, examining the difference between folk and country and the first of a two-part series on DesignTO: Toronto's Indie Design Festival.</i><br /><br />Music: <a href="http://www.seawolfmusic.com/">Sea Wolf</a><br />California-born Alex Church, otherwise know as Sea Wolf, produces a layered and calm sound full of soft vocals and even softer string instruments. It's like a lullaby for hipster ears. Drawing inspiration from authors like John Steinbeck and Jack London (whose novel <i>The Sea Wolf </i>lent its name), each new album tells a story both of indie folk music and of the musician finding his sound through a mix of acoustic and electronic sounds.<br /><br />This one is a deep cut for me. I was 15 or 16 and I wanted nothing more than to see Sea Wolf play at Lee's Palace. The show was 19+ but for some reason I thought I'd be able to get in with a $40 fake ID from that <a href="https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/661848/Fake-i-d-s-in-Toronto-">place at Yonge and Gould</a> that has since burned down. Suffice to say I did not get in. Shoutout to my friend Erin who drove us both downtown that night and ended up taking me to a martini bar in Kensington that didn't card us. So much for keeping minors away from alcohol when all I wanted was to see this band.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2TC7KrMS1k/Xi-po4bseRI/AAAAAAAApNM/0F31d3optiQVwHoq_fG0DGivTvHvunEfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2TC7KrMS1k/Xi-po4bseRI/AAAAAAAApNM/0F31d3optiQVwHoq_fG0DGivTvHvunEfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" /></a></div><br />Anywho, a great slice of Americana comes in the form of indie folk, a delightful little genre abound with mandolins, rock ballads and vibrant storytelling of times long past. Sea Wolf is just one of the bands I discovered in my early teenage years with the rich soundscape of indie or alternative folk. More on that below.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/3ZllGjNdP5pS8UFnT5Jj2x" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />DesignTO is in full swing, both in Toronto and in my heart. The city's design week, done right involves this ten-year-old design festival celebrating architecture, interior design, graphic design, window display and more in over one hundred separate features across Toronto. Every year I create my own custom map of self-guided walking tours and basically just go ham for seven days. See my first instalment of adventures in the Inspiration section below.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgxZ4_P7fp4/Xi-oeL3GHOI/AAAAAAAApM8/M27eE4Br8WYTHQlxbNkGfJmhw5KVVGOfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-27%2Bat%2B10.17.59%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgxZ4_P7fp4/Xi-oeL3GHOI/AAAAAAAApM8/M27eE4Br8WYTHQlxbNkGfJmhw5KVVGOfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-27%2Bat%2B10.17.59%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />At work I am feeling a big sense of change for 2020, in a really good way. I have been trying to get a lot of initiatives started and I'm finally seeing clear, enforced buy-in from our executive leadership team in empowering me to make real change. Specifically through a coincidence in scheduling I ended up meeting our new director of facilities Greg on his first day on the job last Monday. We spoke at length about a11y items around the office and I think some real change will get going.<br /><br />Between winter holidays and vacations, we haven't had much time to benefit from the mentorship of our new design manager Sam, but I am really happy he's on board as well. We're hiring another designer soon, which is great because Jackie is going on leave for a while and I sense a big pile of work landing on me very, very soon.<br /><br />I met my next BrainStation associate instructor Tamira, and we chatted for a bit over coffee before heading over to campus for the 2020 instructor kickoff.<br /><br />Goal:<br />Speaking of tons of work, I am trying desperately to get GreenTeam efforts off my plate in a leadership role. I can't handle both that and #va11y as well as all my work (and Jackie's work) and trying to get the development department to adopt our new component library. So, I'm building action plan templates and assigning initiatives, and we're getting off the ground.<br /><br />And my first Brainstation class of the semester is this week!<br /><br />Random Thought: Folk vs Country<br />While I do have some small appreciation for country music, I do feel most mainstream country music is lacking in substance. There are tired tropes of country songs about trucks, dogs or losing women (and these tropes seem to ring true) that I can only hear so much of. And while I could arguably listen to a skilled banjo player all day long, even that classically country instrument isn't found much in country music these days. There just doesn't feel like much to appreciate, though I do tend to wonder if it's because I only hear the "pop" style of country music on the radio.<br /><br />This got me thinking about how a lot of the indie folk that I listen to seems to comprise of a lot of what I like about country music, but just, done better. More instrumentation, intricate storylines woven into the melodies in beautiful ways, unorthodox instruments (I'm talking harmonicas, banjos, harpsichords, glockenspiels, as much accordion as you can handle). With each new song, I'd either hear an instrument I'd never heard before or learn a new word...or both!<br /><br />And what was best, these songs sound like retellings of the human condition. They ring truer to me on a personal level than mainstream country music ever could. Either directly through songs of love and loss or more subtlely through fictional storytelling, these are songs that evoke. Some examples of indie folk bands I discovered in my earlier music gathering days:<br /><ul><li>Feist - The Reminder</li><li>Decemberists - The Crane Wife</li><li>Joel Plaskett Emergency - Ashtray Rock</li><li>Arcade Fire - Neon Bible</li><li>Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest</li><li>Fleet Foxes - ST</li><li>Sufjan Steves - Illinois</li><li>Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog</li><li>Band of Horses - Cease To Begin</li><li>The Shins - Wincing The Night Away</li><li>José González - In Our Nature</li><li>The National - Boxer</li><li>Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago</li><li>Wintersleep - Welcome To The Night Sky</li><li>Sea Wolf - Leaves In The River</li></ul><div>Hilariously, these albums are mostly released in 2007 (or are at least 2007 adjacent), the same year I made my discovery of <a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2020/01/always-chili-2007-electronica-sound.html">electronica</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stY9zFdUcso/Xi-MrZRz0wI/AAAAAAAApMs/mqMaKlosh98ld689VgG6UKeSVFd-ba9BwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-27%2Bat%2B8.20.15%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="564" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stY9zFdUcso/Xi-MrZRz0wI/AAAAAAAApMs/mqMaKlosh98ld689VgG6UKeSVFd-ba9BwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-27%2Bat%2B8.20.15%2BPM.png" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Always on repeat...</div><br />The list could certainly go on. This all got me wondering if there's such thing as alternative country, and by golly there is! Apparently Wilco is a good example of this, certainly a band I could hang my ten gallon hat on. I guess it may be time to explore a new genre of music!<br /><br />Inspiration: DesignTO: Week 1<br />I first noticed that DesignTO was launching as an exhibit on Polish design was slowly assembled in the lobby of my work building. Over five days I observed the exhibit being built up as I came into work every day. Hashtag literally blessed to work in this building, I am very surprised to say 16 months into this role.<br /><br />On Friday I visited The Gladstone's annual <i>Come Up To My Room</i> art showing within their four floors and even more rooms of fun. I especially loved the 3D layered paper mural of a walk down the streets of Toronto's colourful neighbourhoods by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emsakko/?hl=en">Emmie Tsumura</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cr6idWTvPc8/XjEGoiR8OeI/AAAAAAAApOM/4u6sbCju9LQIR6pE-t3CpbxKSj3khrx9QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200117_160756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cr6idWTvPc8/XjEGoiR8OeI/AAAAAAAApOM/4u6sbCju9LQIR6pE-t3CpbxKSj3khrx9QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200117_160756.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InVWHzMkH8M/XjEGogEpjNI/AAAAAAAApOM/30_U-lxJU-EinMd_GlGumfWcmREM8ZLQwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200117_160751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InVWHzMkH8M/XjEGogEpjNI/AAAAAAAApOM/30_U-lxJU-EinMd_GlGumfWcmREM8ZLQwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200117_160751.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SG4tmN_aReY/XjEGovwaeHI/AAAAAAAApOM/l9CjYpwUxMwCxQP6dzK4eMCseSfa3zg1gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200117_160742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SG4tmN_aReY/XjEGovwaeHI/AAAAAAAApOM/l9CjYpwUxMwCxQP6dzK4eMCseSfa3zg1gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200117_160742.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-kXVFprF4A/XjEGoqxgaoI/AAAAAAAApOM/IEggvxLxcXoIrDW3lrJUeLrinH_B7pzXgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200117_160818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-kXVFprF4A/XjEGoqxgaoI/AAAAAAAApOM/IEggvxLxcXoIrDW3lrJUeLrinH_B7pzXgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200117_160818.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />One of my favourites from <i>Grow Op </i>2019 was back for more: <a href="https://www.creativehub1352.ca/Residents/Noni-Kaur">Noni Kaur</a> brought to life a colourful microscopic view of tiny organisms splattered all over the walls of a bright Queen Street-facing room on the second floor.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgPsJtZHdnw/XjEGonF9fgI/AAAAAAAApOM/dCM2rfXeekIgXLV3XGTElBQeDlHWYI86gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200117_164136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgPsJtZHdnw/XjEGonF9fgI/AAAAAAAApOM/dCM2rfXeekIgXLV3XGTElBQeDlHWYI86gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200117_164136.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fDFqULI_TM/XjEGotw6utI/AAAAAAAApOM/G4QWMxioo48CNt4YBekLa_2_JRwBEcLjACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200117_164145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fDFqULI_TM/XjEGotw6utI/AAAAAAAApOM/G4QWMxioo48CNt4YBekLa_2_JRwBEcLjACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200117_164145.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNB0FkK_of4/XjEGohkwMKI/AAAAAAAApOM/4eBhxUyB8rcmJCIjbKSAbNKdKJ8KoOUYACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200117_164150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNB0FkK_of4/XjEGohkwMKI/AAAAAAAApOM/4eBhxUyB8rcmJCIjbKSAbNKdKJ8KoOUYACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200117_164150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Same as 2019, my next and final stop for the day was Artscape Youngplace, usually housing 3-4 different exhibitions of varying size and all indoors, making for a wonderful little zig-zag journey across all four floors of the renovated and reimagined elementary school building - it's an art exhibit in and of itself. Some highlights were an exhibition on the concept of lorem ipsum and a lovely exhibit of paper poems hanging from the ceiling of the bookstore - Toronto's first (and only?) 100% poetry bookstore.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq-25BKhDd4/XjEGzfKuqhI/AAAAAAAApOQ/JAUfJIrDctgqQVcadCq6NB8mrsheXS6NgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200117_173255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq-25BKhDd4/XjEGzfKuqhI/AAAAAAAApOQ/JAUfJIrDctgqQVcadCq6NB8mrsheXS6NgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200117_173255.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zK83JWIFa8g/XjEGzeQlkBI/AAAAAAAApOQ/jtCfd-AspxUTEBnFF2C7jLTInsa-pSRsQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200117_180053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zK83JWIFa8g/XjEGzeQlkBI/AAAAAAAApOQ/jtCfd-AspxUTEBnFF2C7jLTInsa-pSRsQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200117_180053.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2reKKkWDKc/XjEGzRCoQNI/AAAAAAAApOQ/SRTzF8nCqHUNuI7WEPxWcsVVCAOhxh3EwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200117_180056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2reKKkWDKc/XjEGzRCoQNI/AAAAAAAApOQ/SRTzF8nCqHUNuI7WEPxWcsVVCAOhxh3EwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200117_180056.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Sunday brought us back to my work in The Historic Bakery in Liberty Village to take an unhurried look at what had been building up the week before. The exhibit on 100 Years of Polish Design was quite a feat - something like 100 different items being hailed, along with custom illustrations by Polish designers reimagining the objects in different ways. I'll definitely take another look if I get a free breath sometime next week during work.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YysC0gH8ju4/XjEHF484ZOI/AAAAAAAApOY/iSX56lhs5NsUqoGydt4dgvEfq6bMGvxOACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200120_155036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YysC0gH8ju4/XjEHF484ZOI/AAAAAAAApOY/iSX56lhs5NsUqoGydt4dgvEfq6bMGvxOACKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200120_155036.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LVk1NZX4mZ8/XjEHFzFwClI/AAAAAAAApOY/4sO-JVIrdk4LnzfpFdkjeMx8knd1pLH_gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200120_160217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LVk1NZX4mZ8/XjEHFzFwClI/AAAAAAAApOY/4sO-JVIrdk4LnzfpFdkjeMx8knd1pLH_gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200120_160217.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />After wandering around all the Polish design, we went walking along Queen Street West. Twelve window displays and exhibits dotted the street between Parkdale and Trinity Bellwoods. This stretch is historic for me, the "main drag" that I've been self-touring since I first heard about DesignTO (then called TODO). But what came after was even cooler - we had signed up for a glassblowing demonstration at a studio in Wychwood Barns. My mother and I both got a chance to blow glass, which we made into terrariums. Super cool - the studio is 100% electric (otherwise it would not be zoned to be held within the building).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSnmjEfADe8/XjEHFxgDEeI/AAAAAAAApOY/K5FBBwpum5cMCHBHfVN31q70Ru-Az7G7ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200119_194050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSnmjEfADe8/XjEHFxgDEeI/AAAAAAAApOY/K5FBBwpum5cMCHBHfVN31q70Ru-Az7G7ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200119_194050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6Y7l9DQZlI/XjEHF5XPMSI/AAAAAAAApOY/cNuEdkKq8Qgu_q8TDqF93yKRTFKt4pPlQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200119_194101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6Y7l9DQZlI/XjEHF5XPMSI/AAAAAAAApOY/cNuEdkKq8Qgu_q8TDqF93yKRTFKt4pPlQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200119_194101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7oo6Z4_o2A/XjEHFx_8jYI/AAAAAAAApOY/vQpZjQuZ7fEGwMF50OZZfzMQ0nYpL-40QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200119_194838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7oo6Z4_o2A/XjEHFx_8jYI/AAAAAAAApOY/vQpZjQuZ7fEGwMF50OZZfzMQ0nYpL-40QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200119_194838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Monday night was a newly minted classic - DesignTO's prescribed King East Design District Night. The stretch of King East between Yonge and Parliament was alive with gallery openings and exhibitions, as well as a really inspirational talk inside Relative Space by Mexican design and advertising studio <a href="https://www.anagrama.com/">Anagrama</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqudk6-I8eM/XjEHF9f_oTI/AAAAAAAApOY/Cu7WpjnrWsY_-T137hcEjA2PHtJruOo4ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200120_175904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqudk6-I8eM/XjEHF9f_oTI/AAAAAAAApOY/Cu7WpjnrWsY_-T137hcEjA2PHtJruOo4ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200120_175904.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQkAsh5nGsU/XjEHF4DndlI/AAAAAAAApOY/60F__xTBOpcn1ehOFVT_L4vCSRMLa23bACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200120_180247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQkAsh5nGsU/XjEHF4DndlI/AAAAAAAApOY/60F__xTBOpcn1ehOFVT_L4vCSRMLa23bACKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200120_180247.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_r0K19mWFjE/XjEHFzoGx-I/AAAAAAAApOY/Kg7cB-P64AcQkdV2C_uVLmvsAMIcbbUjACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200120_182413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_r0K19mWFjE/XjEHFzoGx-I/AAAAAAAApOY/Kg7cB-P64AcQkdV2C_uVLmvsAMIcbbUjACKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200120_182413.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Milky's Coffee (based in Toronto)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HklCzekr_M/XjEHFwskZMI/AAAAAAAApOY/I_KSi4vnQDs0aWYFZyfWlzvXzwuAhoGzACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20200120_183703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HklCzekr_M/XjEHFwskZMI/AAAAAAAApOY/I_KSi4vnQDs0aWYFZyfWlzvXzwuAhoGzACKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20200120_183703.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A childrens' library with climbable bookshelves.</div><br />The rest of the night I spent crawling the exhibits of King East with my friend Nadia and her friends, who were all very happy to let me drag them to a bunch of different galleries, each with a different kind of complimentary hors d'oeuvre and cocktail or wine. Great way to get a little tipsy to face the winter outside!<br /><br />Next week will consist of a talk on Tuesday in Liberty Village and a final crawl along Dundas West and Roncesvalles on Sunday. I can't wait to see what kind of things they have going on along Dundas, it seems to get even cooler every time I do this crawl.<br /><br />Stay tuned for DesignTO: Week 2 next week!Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-55366103157841433872020-01-16T13:05:00.002-05:002020-02-04T23:29:32.371-05:00CTEPEO '57, High Seating & Yusaku Kamekura<i>Weekly Update 2020-03: Music filled with 1950s space conspiracies from CTEPEO '57, the perils of high top table seating in restaurants and a look back at Osaka's EXPO 1970 branding from Yusaku Kamekura.</i><br /><br />Music: <a href="http://tartelet-records.com/artists/ctepeo-57">CTEPEO '57</a><br />From the website for Tartelet Records:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The 1950s was a decade of mystery and hoaxes; the cold war, the space race and the establishment of NASA. CTEPEO ’57 insists the cold war isn’t over and claim that Russian astronauts landed on Mars in the late 90s to discover something truly amazing... It all seems far-fetched but who cares when they make music like this.</blockquote>A little silly, a little serious. Germany's Max Graef and Muff Deep are CTEPEO '57. This is the deep house music I really love, with beats rhythmically moving along and transforming at a steady pace. The odd bout of a flute solo or otherwise weird sound effect will creep in and settle into a dusty corner of your brain for a minute, but don't worry. It'll soon vanish just as fast.<br /><br />Best enjoyed with a cup of tea. Sadly, five tracks are all we get on Spotify.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/0d8smua6eEIqNfYHJXWj92" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />Yes, the double-drumming weeks have begun again. I hearken back to the fall of 2016 when I was learning repique, the last time I attended both weekly Wednesday and Sunday practices. Now, we'll be heading to play Carnaval in only a few short weeks, I cannot believe it's really happening.<br /><br />I also met up with an old BrainStation student last week to discuss her possible career change into UX design. I'm really excited to see a student make this transition (especially from such a different industry - finance, of all things).<br /><br />Goal:<br />When it rains, it pours. Alongside double-drumming, I'm starting a new BrainStation semester next week. This week I'll meet my new associate instructor Tamira before we head to the 2020 instructor kickoff session.<br /><br />And, this weekend, I cannot contain my excitement because it's finally my favourite time of winter. No, certainly not Christmas time, my favourite wintertime tradition is Toronto's Design Week, specifically the DesignTO Festival. Window displays, studio tours, artist and designer talks, and various forms of soul-filling galavanting shall take place oner the next couple of weeks.<br /><br />On Friday I'm heading to Gladstone Hotel to wander the halls and rooms of this year's <i><a href="https://www.gladstonehotel.com/cutmr-2020/">Come Up To My Room</a>,</i> and then over to Artscape Youngplace for a smattering of DesignTO displays. Sunday is the big Queen West crawl, and then a really cool glassblowing seminar at Artscape Wychwood Barns. Monday will be the King East Design District Crawl, and Tuesday I get to choose between TWO talks happening in Liberty Village - truly one of the few cool things about working in Liberty.<br /><br />Whysoever does DesignTO get me so excited to walk around in the cold and peek into windows of (often) closed storefronts in the dead of winter, you may ask? Nothing gives me a sense of joy like something that has been crafted with thought and care. To have made deliberate decisions to affect the outcome and experience that people will have when they interact with something one has made, that is the skill and art of design. Not only is that my vocation of course, but it also simply makes me happy to witness good design. It fills my soul in a way no other thing can. And now I get to celebrate it for two whole weeks with like-minded people! My dream.<br /><br />Random Thought: High Seating<br />Imagine you're coming into a restaurant from the wintery Toronto streets, only to realize you didn't have the foresight to make a reservation. The place seems quite busy, and you ask the host sheepishly if they have room for two walk-ins. Your answer comes in the form of a question, "Is a high-top okay?" This question is usually accompanied with an apologetic look on the host's face, as if to say, "I'm sorry to even offer you this Sophie's choice of a high-top table or forcing you back out into the night."<br /><br />Well, let's not get dramatic here. A high-top table is certainly not the end of the world (especially when there is no other option) but this host's not-so-hypothetical face only confirms that restaurant staff agree with me (and most likely you) that high-top tables do not make for a great dining experience. I suppose because I'm on the shorter side I experience this more acutely, but the high chairs are always awkward to get onto and off of, you can't scoot in your chair once you're sitting, the balance can be more challenging (it certainly isn't easier), and I haven't even mentioned their accessibility (or lack thereof) for people who use walkers or wheelchairs. They're a minor nuisance at best, and inaccessible at worst.<br /><br />Here's the real kicker, though. I'd understand to some small extent that these would be the "last resort" for walk-ins such as in my earlier hypothetical, to make better use of spaces where normal height tables couldn't fit, except that in most restaurants these high top tables and chairs take up the exact same floorspace! Why not just put a normal darn table there and call it a day?<br /><br />Inspiration: <a href="http://www.designishistory.com/1960/yusaku-kamekura/">Yusaku Kamekura</a><br />Ever since my trip to Osaka in September, my excitement for the World Expo has been reignited. It was a bittersweet moment on a free walking tour through Dotombori when I found out that Toronto would not be hosting the expo in 2025 as we had dreamed back in 2015, but indeed Osaka itself had won the bid. Since around 2016 when <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/toronto-mayor-calls-for-end-to-expo-2025-bid-prioritizing-transit-and-public-housing/article32541876/">John Tory pulled our bid</a> out of the race that my dreams were initially dashed, so I definitely have room to be happy about Osaka. In fact, it was my favourite city of the trip and I am starting to formalize plans to visit again for the huge event.<br /><br />Okay, so what does this have to do with my inspiration for the week? I was wondering if there had been any development on the branding for the event, especially since <a href="https://www.expo2020dubai.com/">2020's Dubai World Expo</a> is already well underway. Nothing yet, but I did find something from the past...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJozrwZhcXk/Xhj7o2yeqvI/AAAAAAAAoFo/VTY23NvxT3o78eIR_evLHyZ14lB2B_tEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="746" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJozrwZhcXk/Xhj7o2yeqvI/AAAAAAAAoFo/VTY23NvxT3o78eIR_evLHyZ14lB2B_tEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/a.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This poster encapsulates everything I love about the World Expo. Abstract, but with a sense of unity, growth and dynamism. It's also a wonderful nod to the amazing graphic happenings of the 1960s when bold colours and lines dominated poster design. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't wait to see what sort of branding emerges for the 2025 Expo, and whether the designer will tip their hat to the work of Kamekura. What a shame they didn't win the bid only one expo earlier - to return to Osaka exactly fifty years after the first time. Oh well, fifty-five years is just as good.</div>Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-29811077192384985102020-01-10T17:48:00.000-05:002020-02-04T23:29:39.132-05:00Lone, January Motivation & Bloodsuckers<i>Weekly Update 2020-02: Dreamy music for your Sundays at home from Lone, tapping into the special motivation that comes with ringing in the new year and the Royal Ontario Museum's exhibit on bloodsuckers.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4z8_HYQUous/XhkAWz18TaI/AAAAAAAAoGE/_huYOfipNt0OWlYUBDkZzIfZmsr86QQGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="774" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4z8_HYQUous/XhkAWz18TaI/AAAAAAAAoGE/_huYOfipNt0OWlYUBDkZzIfZmsr86QQGACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Music: Lone<br />A new favourite of Spotify's <i>Altar</i> Electronic Playlist comes Lone. A producer from Nottingham with big dreams and dreamier sounds, Lone is our guide through outer space and into the deepest oceans. I absolutely adore the xylophone melodies laid over ethereal synths, sprinkled with a bit of sharp rhythm clapping in <i>Jaded. </i>You'd never know this guy started out in hip-hop. It urges me to take a few steps backward in his discography and see what I find, the further back I go. Why don't you do the same?<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/5wZOrGWdg4hq7KIRMupJdI" width="300"></iframe></center><br /><br />Accomplishment:<br />While New Years can be somewhat stressful due to the last minute scrambling to make plans and such, this one didn't turn out to be such a bust after all. Eric and Laura had me over along with a few friends to drink and cuddle with their dog Theo before we headed off to Etobicoke (yep) to Laura's sister's music recording studio for a party. They have a pretty cool space that they share with a lighting installation company, which made for some cool instagram photos.<br /><br />But what was <i>really </i>special was that the three of us finally finished watching <i>Butterfly Kisses</i>, a movie we had started on our trip to California back in May 2019. We joked that it took us two decades to finish the movie, as the credits rolled around 5:30am on January 1. If you're able to get American Amazon Prime, I highly suggest the movie. It takes some weird turns but it's great.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJeKJHUmwoc/XhaC2UoGxQI/AAAAAAAAoDo/A9woHr8SVmwRa3ZWwvE_Gng12DBdUTiqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJeKJHUmwoc/XhaC2UoGxQI/AAAAAAAAoDo/A9woHr8SVmwRa3ZWwvE_Gng12DBdUTiqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />I also got to do some jamming with Eric - we rented a room in Rehearsal Factory for a couple hours and played along to some songs. It felt really unnatural and weird at first but it was overall really fun. I can't remember the last time I played kit alongside other instruments live. It's so different from playing solo!<br /><br />Goal:<br />This week I'm meeting up with a student from a previous semester of BrainStation to discuss her possible move from finance into user experience design - super cool! While giving out mentorship, I hope to gain a little back for myself by rescheduling a meeting with Dr. Sarah Saska from late 2019 when we met at an evening meetup on Employee Resource Groups.<br /><br />We're starting practices two days a week this week until we leave for Brazil, so I'm not going to have much of a life in a couple weeks once teaching starts up again as well. I'm trying to soak up all the relaxation time that I can now!<br /><br />Random Thought: January Motivation<br />The new year brings about a lot of different thoughts and feelings in people, giving the month of January a certain special quality that no other month shares. To see what I mean, simply walk into any gym on any given January evening. You'll see lots of people attempting to work out on machines they may never have seen before in their lives, or more fitting, perhaps not seen since January 2019, when they last set their minds that this would be the year they finally lose those extra 20 pounds.<br /><br />The notion of marking another passing year carries a special motivation for people to try and change their bad habits, whether it's quitting bad habits like smoking or drinking (see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_January">Dry January</a>) or starting new good habits (such as buying a gym membership). Hey, that's the way this weekly update got started, my very first post was in the first week of 2015, when I successfully resurrected this blog from my grade 11 media studies class.<br /><br />This January I have been experimenting (mostly at work) with how I can tap into people's underlying motivation to start something new this year. Especially since it's also the start of a new decade (and since the world is going to heck), I'm appealing to that underlying nag to do something positive in order to enlist people to join our accessibility and/or eco-conscious teams at work. Not only do I have some great things planned for both teams this year, but I like to think I'm doing a public service by saving people money on gym memberships they'll never use. Gotta strike while the iron is hot!<br /><br />Inspiration: Bloodsuckers<br />Sasha and I are making good use of our ROM memberships, last week on our third visit together we checked out a really cool temporary exhibit on all things bloodsucking. From mosquitos to leeches to medicinal bloodletting, even a little area on the folklore of vampires around the world, I have to say this was a freaking cool exhibit.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LmcKkBRbGI/Xhj9ihSKBtI/AAAAAAAAoF4/jk51uUB63WgauOHOYP4aAMcS6NOxye2-wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20191226_103722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LmcKkBRbGI/Xhj9ihSKBtI/AAAAAAAAoF4/jk51uUB63WgauOHOYP4aAMcS6NOxye2-wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20191226_103722.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlqP6Xm0Coc/Xhj9iiS5kWI/AAAAAAAAoF4/MTotm54yekEmG06Zrj6L6SdxD1AQoH6IQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191226_105534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlqP6Xm0Coc/Xhj9iiS5kWI/AAAAAAAAoF4/MTotm54yekEmG06Zrj6L6SdxD1AQoH6IQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191226_105534.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Huge, life-size models of leeches and bloodsuckers. Sasha for scale.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edRoEes7Tus/Xhj9imapjMI/AAAAAAAAoF4/eD1ogfbTisAjU9jTy0Fkf2A343AZJxTagCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191226_110254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edRoEes7Tus/Xhj9imapjMI/AAAAAAAAoF4/eD1ogfbTisAjU9jTy0Fkf2A343AZJxTagCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191226_110254.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tiny bloodsucking fleas encased in amber - super vintage!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKyyHPAg__U/Xhj9ioT5HsI/AAAAAAAAoF4/vXzONeMPrd4PvoH17wXXKE4hY39aElapACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191226_110423_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKyyHPAg__U/Xhj9ioT5HsI/AAAAAAAAoF4/vXzONeMPrd4PvoH17wXXKE4hY39aElapACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191226_110423_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I liked the way this one was posing so I tried to copy it. The microscope on the left side showcases the flea, which is then projected even larger on the screen beside it.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9zgHercya8/Xhj9igrdQTI/AAAAAAAAoF4/0NXuV2cmF-4d_oTCtLBtds2hdO0EakMGACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191226_110603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9zgHercya8/Xhj9igrdQTI/AAAAAAAAoF4/0NXuV2cmF-4d_oTCtLBtds2hdO0EakMGACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191226_110603.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Did you know vampire snails feed on the blood of fish by putting out these little tubes that attach onto their prey?! Crazy.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XB9ucacl5gM/Xhj9igQoatI/AAAAAAAAoF4/xN4ueMqVlE8Pmw5Yk_7E_mI4Ou3iyzdjACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191226_110856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XB9ucacl5gM/Xhj9igQoatI/AAAAAAAAoF4/xN4ueMqVlE8Pmw5Yk_7E_mI4Ou3iyzdjACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191226_110856.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Cute little vampire bat.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkzDo2ff2Nk/Xhj9itHFCUI/AAAAAAAAoF4/OFSluUDyGlABKf4teZeQUUy-ah78DXwUQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191226_111423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkzDo2ff2Nk/Xhj9itHFCUI/AAAAAAAAoF4/OFSluUDyGlABKf4teZeQUUy-ah78DXwUQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191226_111423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> I especially loved the tanks filled with lampreys. They're so wild!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZFMJYAUqR8/Xhj9ilQIKdI/AAAAAAAAoF4/eVRmPEmUdM0liCsmM043yTvXFLSSpWImgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191226_111725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZFMJYAUqR8/Xhj9ilQIKdI/AAAAAAAAoF4/eVRmPEmUdM0liCsmM043yTvXFLSSpWImgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191226_111725.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bram Stoker's handwritten notes from </i>Dracula<i>.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5uOFDtLUf4/Xhj9iivZhEI/AAAAAAAAoF4/2at0MFawDU46qHL-UsEiwwQX0IEX9wVzACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191226_113307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5uOFDtLUf4/Xhj9iivZhEI/AAAAAAAAoF4/2at0MFawDU46qHL-UsEiwwQX0IEX9wVzACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191226_113307.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Just in case one couldn't finish the job: Double-crucifix!</i></div><br />It's been a great year with my ROM membership, especially with the fact that the museum sits squarely in the middle of town between where I live and where Sasha lives. On top of that, we both enjoyed that we didn't feel the pressure to see so much on each visit, since we could come and go as we wish. I do plan to visit at least once more, and do hope as well that they release a similar deal for 2020. I'd definitely buy another membership for the low, low price of $37.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-35349914404427866722020-01-02T16:27:00.001-05:002020-01-12T17:24:39.135-05:00Always Chili, 2007 Electronica & The Sound Shirt<i>Weekly Update 2020-01: Hello, new year! A chill winter playlist by my friend Kaylin, looking back at my favourite year of electronic music and a shirt that converts sound waves into haptic rumblings onto your skin.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFjhxA1WQNA/Xg5cpz4SX4I/AAAAAAAAnlU/RbE3aF2ClIsCdacQlkVNjiEpbVS2pNsngCEwYBhgL/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-02%2Bat%2B4.11.57%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFjhxA1WQNA/Xg5cpz4SX4I/AAAAAAAAnlU/RbE3aF2ClIsCdacQlkVNjiEpbVS2pNsngCEwYBhgL/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-02%2Bat%2B4.11.57%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Sound Shirt by Cute Circuit.</i></div><i><br /></i><i><br /></i>Music: Always Chili<br />My first music recommendation for 2020 comes from my friend Kaylin who has painstakingly compiled a list of almost seven hours of music that she associates with a chill, low-key winter day. Now that the holidays are over and we have all this excess winter to spend, we may as well make the most of it. Be careful, there are some tearjerking sad songs hidden in there! Don't let them get the best of you.<br /><center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/3PtPSJtSZzcoUh0UYBF0T3" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />Larissa came back from Sudbury in one piece, so we got to have our last Hannukah family hangout on the last day of the holiday. Yay, full menorah!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFNN5RKG1Sc/Xg5eU8ILxkI/AAAAAAAAnlc/ngHmxLoV4u48CuH7ZxDRauPHuu7bs4sIgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/MVIMG_20191229_164657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFNN5RKG1Sc/Xg5eU8ILxkI/AAAAAAAAnlc/ngHmxLoV4u48CuH7ZxDRauPHuu7bs4sIgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/MVIMG_20191229_164657.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Kaylin and Will came over to help light the candles too.</i></div><br />New Years wasn't a total disaster, as it sometimes can be. My friend Laura dragged us all to Etobicoke to a party her sister was throwing at a recording studio, and I have to admit it was pretty fun. Some highlights below:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ylSyRg7JU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;"><div style="padding: 16px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ylSyRg7JU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> </a><br /><div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ylSyRg7JU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> </a><br /><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ylSyRg7JU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ylSyRg7JU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"></a><br /><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ylSyRg7JU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ylSyRg7JU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"></a><br /><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ylSyRg7JU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"></a><br /><div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translatex(0px) translatey(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translatex(3px) translatey(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translatex(9px) translatey(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0; transform: translatex(16px) translatey(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid #f4f4f4; transform: translatey(16px); width: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12px; transform: translatey(-4px); width: 16px;"></div><div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid #f4f4f4; height: 0; transform: translatey(-4px) translatex(8px); width: 0;"></div></div></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ylSyRg7JU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"></a> <br /><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ylSyRg7JU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">A few of my favourites from last night</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chloesil/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Chloe Silver</a> (@chloesil) on <time datetime="2020-01-01T20:25:00+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 1, 2020 at 12:25pm PST</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script> <br /><br />Goal:<br />Not much going on this week due to holiday burnout, I hope to make time for a jam session on Saturday at my office with Eric, if he's cool to bring his guitar down to Liberty Village.<br /><br />Random Thought: 2007 Electronica<br />With the new decade upon us, I am seeing lots of top ten lists in music and other media. In true nonsensical fashion, I decided to look back a little further, thirteen years to be exact, to a time period that changed my music listening forever.<br /><br />Whenever electronic music comes up in conversation with anyone I know, it usually goes the same way. We agree that electronic music is one of our favourite genres, and then as soon as any band names are mentioned we realize that we're not remotely talking about the same subset of music. Electronic music is perhaps one of the most genre-straddling, constantly reinventing genres, with so many sub-sub-sub genres coming out of virtually every country in the world.<br /><br />My first real launch into my subset of electronic music definitely happened around 2007. There was just something about that year being huge for major breakout releases from so many of my favourite electronic musicians.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrfYEjl60c0/Xg0-PY5ys7I/AAAAAAAAnj0/FhtEwlN9TLYG-ZN8XfOa3a6y-rrJwBGbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-01%2Bat%2B7.49.46%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="566" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrfYEjl60c0/Xg0-PY5ys7I/AAAAAAAAnj0/FhtEwlN9TLYG-ZN8XfOa3a6y-rrJwBGbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-01%2Bat%2B7.49.46%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Thirteen years after their release, I still play these albums constantly.</i></div><br />Just some of the amazing electronic albums to break out of 2007:<br /><ul><li>Mstrkrft - The Looks (Yay Canada!)</li><li>Justice - Self-Titled</li><li>Simian Mobile Disco - Attack Decay Sustain Release</li><li>Boys Noize - Oi Oi Oi</li><li>Digitalism - Idealism</li><li>Chromeo - Fancy Footwork (also yay Canada!)</li><li>Muscles - Guns Babes Lemonade</li><li>New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom</li><li>Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future</li><li>Yelle - Pop Up</li><li>Caribou - Andorra (again yay Canada!)</li><li>Matthew Dear - Asa Breed</li><li>Battles - Mirrored</li><li>LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver</li><li>Architecture in Helsinki - Places Like This</li><li>Groove Armada - Soundboy Rock</li><li>MGMT - Oracular Spectacular</li><li>Daft Punk - Alive 2007 (arguably one of my favourite live albums of all time)</li></ul>Taking even a short listen to a smattering of these bands will show you the true vastness of their sounds. From the rough Brit-rock electro stylings of Klaxons to the calm, thoughtful and meditative sounds of Caribou to the party-rock anthems of MGMT, this was truly a magical year of self expression through synths and wires.<br /><br />Inspiration: Sound Shirt<br />It has always been a fear of mine that I might lose my hearing. Much as I rely on sight to complete most of my tasks (including biking and designing), I definitely require hearing to make life enjoyable. The main reason is that of music, how can one experience the joys of music without hearing? It feels like a terrible joke without a punchline.<br /><br />But when I think of some of my favourite music with pulsing beats and dramatic drums, I realize it may be as much of a tactile experience as an auditory one. It would seem that one company has had a similar idea, introducing wearable tech that heightens the experience of someone with hearing loss to be able to enjoy the music as well.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFjhxA1WQNA/Xg5cpz4SX4I/AAAAAAAAnlQ/2cnmvC7DjbQI1jdNDY8Lh64vathUZWROgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-02%2Bat%2B4.11.57%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFjhxA1WQNA/Xg5cpz4SX4I/AAAAAAAAnlQ/2cnmvC7DjbQI1jdNDY8Lh64vathUZWROgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-01-02%2Bat%2B4.11.57%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Sound Shirt by CuteCircuit absorbs sound waves and transmits them into tactile rumblings emitted by the shirt onto the wearer's skin.</i></div><br />Instead of hearing sounds that transfer into feelings in your brain, you can feel them on your skin instead. I imagine this experience might even be more impactful than listening, and perhaps even quite fun to try in addition to listening to music.<br /><br />This is just another example of how inventions designed to help those with disabilities can also be useful for anyone. Learn more about the Sound Shirt <a href="https://cutecircuit.com/soundshirt/">here</a>.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-38160036503770563022019-12-26T17:05:00.000-05:002020-02-04T23:43:42.878-05:00AnTgry, Weekly Updates & Wheel of Lunch<i>Weekly Update 2019-52: The last one of the year! Listening to Normandy-based city pop from AnTgry, reflecting on four years of weekly updates and removing the indecision of picking a place to go for lunch.</i><br /><br />Music: AnTgry<br />It honestly wouldn't be the last post of the year if I didn't end with city pop. AnTgry, aka Antoine Grenet, is a new-age producer from Normandy, France. I am loving his 2017 album <i>Road Trip</i> with each of its songs (Palm Road, Honey Road, Sunset Road etc) feeling like funky theme music for a level of a chibi racing game (a la <a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2017/05/bird-world-productivity-sushi-shoes.html">Leon's <i>Bird World</i></a>). I am loving all the amazing city pop coming from all around the world, and AnTgry's particular french flavour is really getting me. It's sort of a mix between vanilla Japanese city pop and Daft Punk circa 2002.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/5z3lyTwEfktfkjGKFmBaAU" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />I caught up! Yes, I finally caught up to my blog schedule...by the last week of the year. This was really the time to catch up, I suppose. Yep, this year has been more of a struggle to keep up with posts, but that's just because I've been really busy socially and professionally. I feel like my heart is more full at the end of this year than it has been in past Decembers, and I cherish that.<br /><br />More Christmas parties this week, it was nice to hang out with my band and participate in the Secret Santa at work - Dan on my team was my Secret Santa and he got me a really cool adult-looking set of salt and pepper grinders. Siobhan, who works in support and is also his girlfriend, hand drew the card for me which I really appreciated :) She got him the job here and has also become more involved with some of my projects...I think they're so cute together!<br /><br />The Winter Solstice Parade was wonderful this year. Such a joy to stroll through the streets of Kensington Market with marching bands, lanterns, and beautiful light-up costumes. And it all ended with a beautiful burning of this year's effigy: the sun.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NHF2P-H1GA/XgQW7LRkdxI/AAAAAAAAm2c/zq4ePAY5N7M4qMXZ7W7TNPxaPf1cHEwbwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191221_185420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NHF2P-H1GA/XgQW7LRkdxI/AAAAAAAAm2c/zq4ePAY5N7M4qMXZ7W7TNPxaPf1cHEwbwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191221_185420.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BR0nmVtz8KQ/XgQW7NiGY2I/AAAAAAAAm2c/BnEh5T8HnX8oi3PlCwdImp21A9uVy3D5QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191221_191503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BR0nmVtz8KQ/XgQW7NiGY2I/AAAAAAAAm2c/BnEh5T8HnX8oi3PlCwdImp21A9uVy3D5QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191221_191503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-adi6QMPm7Yo/XgQW0VqIDMI/AAAAAAAAm2Y/9QFpOk6UOt8ycwFRzvVnFpb2Q2WonWf8QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191221_191017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-adi6QMPm7Yo/XgQW0VqIDMI/AAAAAAAAm2Y/9QFpOk6UOt8ycwFRzvVnFpb2Q2WonWf8QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191221_191017.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7ERjVx4224/XgQW0cC3toI/AAAAAAAAm2Y/cEpwVSVkTqU0ZFhRJd5uTGGdoAC-q06ugCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191221_202135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7ERjVx4224/XgQW0cC3toI/AAAAAAAAm2Y/cEpwVSVkTqU0ZFhRJd5uTGGdoAC-q06ugCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191221_202135.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy_0No8W8bg/XgQW0dwcRaI/AAAAAAAAm2Y/de8FXka_vOwYHCYtb-HHvet_goxIfZc8QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191221_202612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy_0No8W8bg/XgQW0dwcRaI/AAAAAAAAm2Y/de8FXka_vOwYHCYtb-HHvet_goxIfZc8QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191221_202612.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Goal:<br />We've got the big band Christmas party this Friday and family hangouts on Sunday - I bought little ugly sweater cookie kits to make! Since I haven't done much in the way of specific Christmas activities I hope this will suffice.<br /><br />And on Saturday night I'm going to the hockey game with my dad! They always do a little something fun at Christmastime games - maybe they'll dye Carlton red and green or something.<br /><br />Random Thought:<br />I can't believe it's been five straight years of weekly updates. I always felt in the back of my mind that if it got to be too much work and I wasn't getting anything out of it anymore, that I would quit writing. And I'll be honest; I did feel that way a bit this summer when I was about six weeks behind.<br /><br />It was a bit of a struggle finding the motivation to keep writing for a while, but the joy and opportunity for self reflection continually outweigh the time it takes to write a post. Beyond that, in the same way as playing drums does, I find writing to be a healthy outlet for creativity and self expression.<br /><br />Small goal setting has always been easier to achieve through writing, and it's something I'd definitely lose track of without this blog. I find there aren't enough appropriate moments to celebrate personal wins in life, so I try to do that here and pay respect to the hard work and growth I've achieved in my adult life. Even if it is just the achievement of perfecting my own lasagna recipe.<br /><br />I plan to keep writing into 2020 and make it six years of weekly updates. Thanks for reading!<br /><br />Inspiration: <a href="https://wheelof.com/lunch/">Wheel of Lunch</a><br />While the neighbourhood of Liberty Village has grown on me since I started working at Vena, I still keep my original opinion that there are no good lunch places. They're all too bougie and overpriced as we witness the winds of gentrification in full swing. I'm seeing the replacment of a $5 sandwich at a mom-and-pop place with a $12 open-faced flatbread (read - one less piece of bread in this sandwich) at a bougie one-off restaurant that only serves five items.<br /><br />On top of that, the cortex of food establishments only really starts around Atlantic and Liberty, a 12-minute walk from my office. This creates a hefty motivator to stay indoors (or worse, order food from UberEats). It also means that I have no idea what restaurants there are around me, and it seems to be a common problem of deciding where to go for lunch in one's neighbourhood - especially when there are multiple indecisive attendees. May I hereby present, the Wheel of Lunch:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gTGCCKEr0xI/XgUuRqJ-JYI/AAAAAAAAm6I/_NYYbCXkOrYE2YE5I3FeB2N478iCDHJBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-26%2Bat%2B5.03.30%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gTGCCKEr0xI/XgUuRqJ-JYI/AAAAAAAAm6I/_NYYbCXkOrYE2YE5I3FeB2N478iCDHJBACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-26%2Bat%2B5.03.30%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Simply enter your location and radius preference, and the wheel will offer several local choices based on Google Maps and online reviews. Better yet, it can even randomly pick an option for you! Then, either go there, or collectively decide you all hate that option and pick another from the wheel. It's foolproof!<br /><br />Whether you're a homebody (or workbody) who doesn't know what's good in your neighbourhood, or just can't make a decision on an empty stomach, give the Wheel of Lunch a spin.<br /><br />Check out the <a href="https://wheelof.com/lunch/">Wheel of Lunch</a>.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-48243544595767336392019-12-23T20:57:00.002-05:002020-01-12T17:24:15.647-05:00Altar, iPhone vs Android & Clean Festival Posters<i>Weekly Update 2019-51: Spotify's </i>Altar<i> playlist curates those good-good Soundcloud electronic sounds, my latest leap across the line between iPhone and Android and a well-organized music festival poster (almost) offers more hype than any band could.</i><br /><br />Music: Altar<br />Since May of this year, Spotify has really stepped up its electronic music game with a curated playlist called <i>Altar. </i>Digging into some of the indie pits more commonly found on Soundcloud's dubhouse and trance, Spotify is finally starting to scratch my itch for weird, genre spanning electronic music. Updated weekly with over six fresh hours of sound, I am really enjoying the collections.<br /><br />The playlist was launched in May with a curation takeover by Four Tet during its first two weeks. I try to make a point of following musicians I like, and absolutely adore the ones that take the time to create playlists of what they listen to. Even after the Four Tet takeover, Christie Driver-Snell, Editor for Dance Music at Spotify and her team continue to produce a great playlist that keeps me in touch with my Soundcloud years.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXa71eg5j9dKZ" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />I was finally able to enjoy myself at this year's holiday party since I didn't have to perform. So instead, I got to hang out and get wine drunk with Matt while we tried to locate all the finance people to brush shoulders with to better secure him an interview in their department. We also took some fun photo booth photos with my development team:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9KLRgKJ4oU/Xfqvxzs6-YI/AAAAAAAAmow/et3lXSnqYZ0S8ODpGl-ky_9VibV72QyWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019-12-13_21-47-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9KLRgKJ4oU/Xfqvxzs6-YI/AAAAAAAAmow/et3lXSnqYZ0S8ODpGl-ky_9VibV72QyWACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2019-12-13_21-47-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I couldn't believe Adrienne was doing coatcheck at the party totally by chance?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrNRICxMqdA/Xfqwm56tN8I/AAAAAAAAmo8/w8EMcGuOkJUYMkx9B-77Y0TQjcQLxAE9ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191213_230619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrNRICxMqdA/Xfqwm56tN8I/AAAAAAAAmo8/w8EMcGuOkJUYMkx9B-77Y0TQjcQLxAE9ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191213_230619.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Early the next morning came our most current estate sale, spanning two days of giving a beautiful collection of corningware to a good home (among other items). As always, no one can ever imagine how much stuff you can store in a small home until it's all out in the open and individually priced. Considering this, I think we managed to rehome quite a good amount of items.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7p5Pg5RytwM/Xfqwg1NoxLI/AAAAAAAAmo4/J5r9LFxch58T-zlS8mHwK7tdwKP1giezgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191214_143125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7p5Pg5RytwM/Xfqwg1NoxLI/AAAAAAAAmo4/J5r9LFxch58T-zlS8mHwK7tdwKP1giezgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191214_143125.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ray showed up for a visit! Here's my dad drying the snow out of his hair with paper towel. BFFs!</i></div><br /><br /><br />And in between, we celebrated Larissa's birthday with some Cosmic Bowling. She believes that there are two kinds of bowlers: those who start out poorly and get better as the night progresses, and those who go the opposite way. I am definitely in the latter. But at least I wore the right pants (totally by chance!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SAdx6C72P50/Xfqwg8ZoT6I/AAAAAAAAmo4/Bpz5WQpxMugiF_FhRdt6mZEpnsWY_0G5QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191214_181710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SAdx6C72P50/Xfqwg8ZoT6I/AAAAAAAAmo4/Bpz5WQpxMugiF_FhRdt6mZEpnsWY_0G5QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20191214_181710.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Goal:<br />The holiday festivities continue on with a mini Christmas party with my band, and the secret santa gift exchange at my work.<br /><br />My family is celebrating Hannukah early before my sister dips to Sudbury, only a day early. And we'll reunite on the last day of Hannukah when she gets back so it all works out.<br /><br />I'm hoping to hang out with Emilia and attend Kensington Market's Winter Solstice Parade this year, making it a yearly tradition. They burn a nice, big effigy of something different every year, and I must say I am quite drawn to the watching of something big burn to the ground (in a safe, controlled environment).<br /><br />And gosh darn it, I am going to finally catch up to my blog schedule in the last gosh darn week of 2019. This is my plea to myself.<br /><br />Random Thought:<br />It's been two or three weeks of using an Android phone (the second time around), and I have to say the transition has been pretty seamless. The only thing I still can't stand is the fingerprint sensor being on the back of the phone, having to pick it up to unlock it gets old quick. But my battery lasts two full days on one charge which is amazing, and my camera is fabulous - specifically at night which I love.<br /><br />So many people gripe about the issues and differences between iPhone and Android, and having now used both I think they really aren't as different as people may think. Maybe it's because I had already grown accustomed to Google apps like Keep, Photos and Maps on my iPhone, but it didn't take long to get used to the Google Pixel at all.<br /><br />My only disappointment is the fact that while Android boasts customizability to an extent that Apple shudders at, not <i>everything</i> can be customized to the degree that I would prefer with a visually analytical mind. Apple (mostly) makes everything pixel-perfect, but nothing can be customized. It's quite a crossroads.<br /><br />Read <a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2016/03/a-walk-in-park-with-android-phone.html">my 2016 post</a> on my first foray into Android, why I ultimately switched back to iPhone. Now, three years later, I guess Android finally stuck.<br /><br />Inspiration: Outside Lands Festival Poster<br />I'm trying to keep tabs on the evolution of typography through music festival posters...at one point, they were the most exciting thing I'd read all year - now I read the news. I last spoke about them at some length in a <a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2016/12/cuushe-festival-posters-respectful-memes.html">post from 2016</a>, and I've recently found one that's doing something different.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYtpA6oig4/XgFm35Ejl5I/AAAAAAAAm0A/0fSPpwCK-SQt54tJ0roCbfXTtxvX42k3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-23%2Bat%2B8.15.55%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYtpA6oig4/XgFm35Ejl5I/AAAAAAAAm0A/0fSPpwCK-SQt54tJ0roCbfXTtxvX42k3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-23%2Bat%2B8.15.55%2BPM.png" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The hierarchy is so strong, I really have to hand it to Outside Lands' graphic designer for creating what may be the cleanest festival poster I have ever seen. Undoubtedly, the bar on clean is set quite low as most festival poster designs fall within one of two categories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first involves pushing the experimental type style evolved from the 1960s psychedelic movement. While low on legibility, it does evoke a certain beauty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2_W9tsZltTQ/XgFoJUE8DvI/AAAAAAAAm0M/linNeJ9UjggMSoXmAVWC8LFXk-cBA6RPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="634" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2_W9tsZltTQ/XgFoJUE8DvI/AAAAAAAAm0M/linNeJ9UjggMSoXmAVWC8LFXk-cBA6RPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is a real festival poster. Where to...begin?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second, less excitingly, recreate the classic "wall of text" that is extremely low on readability but at overall glance gives that good-good feeling of a festival with "so many bands I love, I can't keep track and I'm delightfully overwhelmed". That's the feeling you want to evoke while looking at a festival poster to make it memorable enough to get viewers to actually purchase a ticket. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_A1hWBKIYU/XgFomCoS6yI/AAAAAAAAm0U/h5L4rFHw_xkIdDh4dFZj8eC6cv-Zh8WVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_A1hWBKIYU/XgFomCoS6yI/AAAAAAAAm0U/h5L4rFHw_xkIdDh4dFZj8eC6cv-Zh8WVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Okay, so now you've seen what else is going on in the music festival poster design world. So back to the Outside Lands poster.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYtpA6oig4/XgFm35Ejl5I/AAAAAAAAm0E/EloEZNh45VYDrFNdiEOOq7hccsd7pzFlACEwYBhgL/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-23%2Bat%2B8.15.55%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYtpA6oig4/XgFm35Ejl5I/AAAAAAAAm0E/EloEZNh45VYDrFNdiEOOq7hccsd7pzFlACEwYBhgL/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-23%2Bat%2B8.15.55%2BPM.png" width="319" /></a></div><br />The first thing I notice is that it's more mobile friendly than the other two posters. The typography is bigger (and doesn't bother with more than two levels of hierarchy with bands, which is respectful to musicians and their fans) which also reduces visual clutter. It reads like a fancy spreadsheet and I have mad respect for that. Scan across to see more bands for this specific day, or scan down to skip to the next day.<br /><br />The white on navy blue is such a freakin' breath of fresh air, finally a poster that looks sharp and passes accessible levels of colour contrast for my poor, screen-burned eyeballs.<br /><br />Though as I mentioned earlier, this bar is set so embarrassingly low that I would like to get on the lookout for a poster that does an even better job of information design and accessibility. Hey, maybe I'll find something worth attending in the long run.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-30028795950361242582019-12-12T21:04:00.000-05:002020-01-12T17:24:30.187-05:00Flight of the Conchords, User Research Notes & Tech Worlds<i>Weekly Update 2019-50: Legendary New Zealand novelty band Flight of the Conchords, a new way to record user research notes and reliving the tech worlds we grew up in through interactive data visualizations.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IYkZPsKRY9U/XfLxdHJQRuI/AAAAAAAAmiQ/NOblP6WEGBsgkD0scUvW0pgxK06IBKh4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="500" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IYkZPsKRY9U/XfLxdHJQRuI/AAAAAAAAmiQ/NOblP6WEGBsgkD0scUvW0pgxK06IBKh4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bret and Jemaine are still at it, 20 years later.</i></div><br />Music: Flight of the Conchords<br />This one is admittedly late to the party, though since this 2000s New Zealand band is touring again in 2019 I suppose it's relevant to talk about them. And so I shall. Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement are two goofy, awkward and extremely talented multi-instrumental musicians, hailing as "the almost award-winning fourth-most-popular folk duo in New Zealand". With hits like "I Told You I Was Freaky" "Hiphopopotamus vs Rhymenoceros" and "Prince of Parties", they manage to make a catchy song out of any genre you throw at them. Big props to their too-soon cancelled HBO show of the same name as well.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/2lRyvAihjwylPfhGqydQbC" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />I can't believe the International Day of People With Disabilities has come and gone. What an insane amount of planning has gone into this event by so many people at work, and I can't believe what a huge success it was. Our morning accessibility panel was emotional and personal, setting the tone for the day as something to be celebrated and empathized with, the keynote with Jason Mitschele was inspiration and a delightful treat, and our client case study focused on what Venanites have done in conjunction with the American Foundation for the Blind. But most importantly, our new Vena Accessibility Team #va11y is on its way to becoming an official employee resource group. I am so proud of how far we've come, and so excited to bring more accessibility topics to the forefront of Vena's 2020 year.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DN1Jz02dRDs/XfGz4iLM_cI/AAAAAAAAmgU/1I-xBl_h62ULaciS9UPQO4J2vGOwTWznACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="1451" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DN1Jz02dRDs/XfGz4iLM_cI/AAAAAAAAmgU/1I-xBl_h62ULaciS9UPQO4J2vGOwTWznACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I designed our new #va11y stickers as well :)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was also the last class of my fourth semester at BrainStation. This was such a fun class to spend my Thursday nights with, not to mention one of my star pupils Tanya taking the class and editing the slides during her dayjob working at BrainStation. She is a powerhouse!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-069R5GQ9FPs/XfG1xDFCOVI/AAAAAAAAmgg/kF9Ldeu7HmMQKBIL4Cru7Jep3abWUqNrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UI%2BDesign%2B-%2BThursday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-069R5GQ9FPs/XfG1xDFCOVI/AAAAAAAAmgg/kF9Ldeu7HmMQKBIL4Cru7Jep3abWUqNrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/UI%2BDesign%2B-%2BThursday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>YAS class!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've also managed to get through almost all the marking in only four days (my record) so I'm sure I'll finish it all within the week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If that wasn't enough, this Sunday was my university friends' Secret Santa. I can finally reveal that Erika was my giftee, and is now the new owner of her very own pair of fish flops (as she requested).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlN3aZBQ_IM/XfG2YjTcvUI/AAAAAAAAmgo/MEC19S7gm_QHE7wsaiP1OnRJzJ5-ji8lgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlN3aZBQ_IM/XfG2YjTcvUI/AAAAAAAAmgo/MEC19S7gm_QHE7wsaiP1OnRJzJ5-ji8lgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>...among other, less fish-related items.</i></div><br />Goal:<br />Vena's holiday party is this Friday, potentially my final reason to get dressed up fancy for the season. I'm bringing Matt along in the hopes that he can brush shoulders with some of our finance department and maybe even get a job with me, which would be super cool.<br /><br />Beyond that, my family is running our last estate sale of the year up in North Toronto. I have taken a preliminary look around the house and noticed that both the previous occupants liked to work with their hands. A plethora of tools and woodworking equipment are accompanied with painting and stained glass craft supplies, so they seem like they were cool people. And now the crafts can be passed onto someone new!<br /><br />Saturday night Larissa is having a bowling night for her birthday, so I hope the rest of her present arrives on time.<br /><br />Random Thought: User Research Notes<br />My co-designer at work has been out sick (so sad) which means I've been filling in for her by facilitating user testing sessions with a product she designed. This has been a huge learning experience for several reasons, spanning throughout her work in the project. I realized pretty soon into the testing that I didn't have a ton of insight into the work she'd been doing, so there were definitely things that were new to me. These came out of the results of the testing, so it'll make for an interesting discussion when she's back in the office.<br /><br />Additionally, the sessions were booked with two interviewees at a time, which I've never done before. Usually you only want one interviewee at a time to decrease chance of group bias and for the facilitator(s) to focus on one user at a time, but time is tight on this project. While a bit unorthodox, it's been interesting to see how the pairs influence each other in good ways, like helping each other to explain their issues or delights about the test.<br /><br />I also got to see a new method for collecting results, courtesy of our design manager Sam.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTgVk6mt_lQ/XfG3tJ8rywI/AAAAAAAAmg0/7IQH0rdQoNUlrz6OjON5QSGiumTAxVWigCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-11%2Bat%2B10.44.38%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BTgVk6mt_lQ/XfG3tJ8rywI/AAAAAAAAmg0/7IQH0rdQoNUlrz6OjON5QSGiumTAxVWigCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-11%2Bat%2B10.44.38%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>An alternative to the classic <a href="https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2013/04/rainbow-spreadsheet-collaborative-ux-research-tool/">rainbow spreadsheet</a> method.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also have none of the bias associated with testing something that one has put creative energy into. I have no problem "killing the darlings" so to speak, which makes me a more partial interviewer. This has made me wonder if we should bake testing by non-creators into our future processes. It adds an interesting flavour to the test.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Inspiration: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/entertainment/tech-generations/">Tech Worlds</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In 2017, The Washington Post published a really cool article on their website about what "tech worlds" we grew up in. It's interesting to take a look back at how much technology has changed (especially over the last 15-20 years) with these interactive data visualizations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cbMNFjD90o/XfLwveYiwcI/AAAAAAAAmh8/oPF1pwf4fwcf_dO-EiV_nHoydJaE3h5UwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-12%2Bat%2B8.59.58%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1274" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cbMNFjD90o/XfLwveYiwcI/AAAAAAAAmh8/oPF1pwf4fwcf_dO-EiV_nHoydJaE3h5UwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-12%2Bat%2B8.59.58%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJtYgMC9Hvg/XfLwvPJb3UI/AAAAAAAAmh4/YyvzMIrGVCE7SpmkTTgeqIx5Mx0GE48hACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-12%2Bat%2B9.00.07%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1518" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJtYgMC9Hvg/XfLwvPJb3UI/AAAAAAAAmh4/YyvzMIrGVCE7SpmkTTgeqIx5Mx0GE48hACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-12%2Bat%2B9.00.07%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The really special element is in the dropdown to select your birth year at the top of the article, which then adjusts the content and data to be relative to your age and birthday. This makes all the information feel more personal and relatable to the reader's life, which is a really cool way to personalize the experience.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ePhNkdYgmI/XfLwvHM5CQI/AAAAAAAAmiA/a8fJL3OeciU3DGkQntCozlZFWI-pErPEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-12%2Bat%2B8.59.39%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ePhNkdYgmI/XfLwvHM5CQI/AAAAAAAAmiA/a8fJL3OeciU3DGkQntCozlZFWI-pErPEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-12%2Bat%2B8.59.39%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Plus, it's fun to look back and feel nostalgic about my first "dumb" phone or when my dad first got a computer for the household and started using eBay. I've always appreciated that he was quick to jump on the home computer/internet train, it absolutely shaped my life and put me on the path to the career and passions I've chosen. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/entertainment/tech-generations/">article</a> for yourself and relive your past tech fancies.</div>Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-55398176127840936112019-12-06T17:32:00.003-05:002020-01-12T17:26:51.432-05:00Phoenix, Best Before Dates & Mouldy Art<i>Weekly Update 2019-49: Dramatic, dripping indie pop beats from Phoenix, not taking best before dates seriously and the beauty in mouldly art.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CotbTe0oCKs/XerXrEDv5GI/AAAAAAAAmYo/S69Nw83mok83_htwaAYAc7PxNUe4PmiDACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaaaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1500" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CotbTe0oCKs/XerXrEDv5GI/AAAAAAAAmYo/S69Nw83mok83_htwaAYAc7PxNUe4PmiDACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaaaaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mouldy peach by Kathleen Ryan.</i></div><br />Music: <a href="http://wearephoenix.com/">Phoenix</a><br />I literally had to go double-check that I hadn't already written about my favourite band outta Versailles, France. Phoenix is the indie power pop band of your dreams, with every song on each record becoming an earworm in its own right. I've been lucky enough to see them twice, most recently with an amazing stage I will never forget:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGjHg5NAyxY/XerWXzFlH6I/AAAAAAAAmX0/xNguN_rpgMMEg6rN5UH6vxKIUl_LoVj1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGjHg5NAyxY/XerWXzFlH6I/AAAAAAAAmX0/xNguN_rpgMMEg6rN5UH6vxKIUl_LoVj1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--dQBUAM5bkU/XerWX2pxrEI/AAAAAAAAmX4/cRSRf_f1cOooCROYw8EOigOmThat7-RhACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--dQBUAM5bkU/XerWX2pxrEI/AAAAAAAAmX4/cRSRf_f1cOooCROYw8EOigOmThat7-RhACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1551.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxObWYe0lss/XerWYON724I/AAAAAAAAmX8/F1R8mW9jqAce4ZH49_xbbsy0M1FGbcU-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxObWYe0lss/XerWYON724I/AAAAAAAAmX8/F1R8mW9jqAce4ZH49_xbbsy0M1FGbcU-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoE9tQb1c3U/XerWY7mYqiI/AAAAAAAAmYA/B64vJo2OT-03b-gwHzYP9L5jyx3ROWdbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoE9tQb1c3U/XerWY7mYqiI/AAAAAAAAmYA/B64vJo2OT-03b-gwHzYP9L5jyx3ROWdbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Closeup of lead signer Thomas Mars singing and lying on the stage floor (mirrored).</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ay_NnIOuAw/XerWa-l5z-I/AAAAAAAAmYM/PeZ-udI2ZN4738mmTh6I2qx40Gii9NZpACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ay_NnIOuAw/XerWa-l5z-I/AAAAAAAAmYM/PeZ-udI2ZN4738mmTh6I2qx40Gii9NZpACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />The band projected their light show onto the floor of the stage, with a gigantic mirror tilted to an angle to reflect the stage floor, the projections and the band. It was insanity.<br /><br />Music-wise, they use a mix of rock and synth sounds to produce some powerful rhythms, often with big, dramatic buildups to some kind of musical epiphany. This is most notable on <i>Love Like a Sunset</i> from 2009's <i>Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix</i> and the fade from <i>Drakkar Noir </i>into <i>Chloroform</i> on 2013's <i>Bankrupt!</i>. This is a band that loves the drama and gives it 1100% live onstage. And as a bit of juicy gossip: lead singer Thomas Mars is married to Sofia Coppola (American screenwriter, director, producer, and former actress, as well as the daughter of filmmakers Eleanor and Francis Ford Coppola).<br /><br />Start with <i>Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix</i>, and then go in any direction.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/0IQbQC6V4UuHLcgO9Yt3uu" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />I hadn't cooked a real meal in a little while, so this past weekend I made a cornbread chilli casserole. It was freaking fantastic, definitely adding it to my roster.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RrwAmIxlaE/XecHFKIdiEI/AAAAAAAAmT8/iEG1XZPis-YRfNCAb-8QwCNH1vYwsFQdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-03%2Bat%2B8.08.12%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1194" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RrwAmIxlaE/XecHFKIdiEI/AAAAAAAAmT8/iEG1XZPis-YRfNCAb-8QwCNH1vYwsFQdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-03%2Bat%2B8.08.12%2BPM.png" width="297" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I used this <a href="https://belleofthekitchen.com/2016/02/05/chili-cornbread-casserole/">recipe</a>.</i></div><br />The only crazy thing was that I needed flour - I don't keep it around the house since I never bake. So I took my clean, empty glass jars and my 1-cup dry scoop to Bulk Barn and did two cool things:<br /><br /><ul><li>I had my jars weighed at the front counter, then filled them, then only paid for the weight of the items inside (no plastic bag waste!)</li><li>I used my 1-cup scoop (with a plastic bag around it) to measure exactly the flour I needed for my recipe (no food waste) - <a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2016/08/weekly-update-ryerson-beach.html">this was a random thought from my blog post from 2016</a></li></ul><div>I know I had to use a plastic bag to keep the scoop from contaminating the bin, but to be fair I had already used all my glass jars for other items before I finally found the flour in the store, so I would have needed a bag anyway. I would like to think further about how cleanliness and eco-friendliness can play better together at Bulk Barn though. I still think the stores should change their metal scoops to some kind of measuring cup/scoop thing with multiple measurements so people can measure without having to bring their own potentially contaminating scoops to the store.</div><br /><br />Goal:<br />I can't believe my cousin Michelle is getting married this weekend. I grew up with her, so I still remember when she was a little kid (like me). I couldn't be happier for her and Sam, her amazing husband-to-be, plus they're getting married right in the heart of downtown at Steamwhistle Brewery, where I've never been before.<br /><br />All of this makes me realize there's not much time before my sister herself gets married next summer. They grow up so fast :')<br /><br />This may be my biggest week at Vena so far - with the culmination of all our hard work and preparation for the International Day of People with Disabilities and the revelation of #va11y, Vena's accessibility team. I have been going a little crazy keeping track of all the details for this full-company event, not the least of which being that we have to create a completely new event space out of a part of our office that's used for small impromptu meetings. Our current meeting space is only accessible by a staircase (aka NOT accessible) so we had to be resourceful alongside making sure we won't be too disruptive to people who need to work.<br /><br />Random Thought: Best Before Dates<br />Once in a while I am reminded that the world is filled with two types of people:<br /><ol><li>Those who obey best before dates</li><li>Those who take life by the horns (and eat 4-day expired yogurt)</li></ol><div>Let me be clear and explain the difference between best before dates and expiry dates - which are not the same, as per the <a href="https://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/fact-sheets-and-infographics/date-labelling/eng/1332357469487/1332357545633">Government of Canada</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>A "best-before" date, also known as a durable life date, tells you when the durable life period of a prepackaged food ends. Durable life means the anticipated amount of time that an unopened food product, when stored under appropriate conditions, will retain its freshness, taste, nutritional value, or any other qualities claimed by the manufacturer.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Expiration dates are required only on certain foods that have strict compositional and nutritional specifications which might not be met after the expiration date. Expiration dates must be used on the following products:</div><div><ul><li>formulated liquid diets (nutritionally complete diets for people using oral or tube feeding methods)</li><li>foods represented for use in a very low-energy diet (foods sold only by a pharmacist and only with a written order from a physician)</li><li>meal replacements (formulated food that, by itself, can replace one or more daily meals)</li><li>nutritional supplements (food sold or represented as a supplement to a diet that may be inadequate in energy and essential nutrients)</li><li>human milk substitutes (infant formula)</li></ul></div><div>After the expiration date, the food may not have the same nutrient content declared as on the label. Food should not be bought, sold or eaten if the expiration date has passed. It should be discarded. Aka, don't mess around with expiration dates.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Mock me if you must, but I think best before dates on a lot of food are created through a model of planned obsolescense - the earlier the date, the sooner consumers will have to replenish their supply. Yes, it's one part conspiracy theory and one part eco-minded: I simply cannot stand wasting food. Okay, now that you've had a nice fat chance to judge me, let's look at a line I would never cross.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though I poked fun above with yogurt - I actually wouldn't risk dairy products (or meat products) more than a few days past their best before dates. Disclaimer - eat at your own risk! Instead of pushing these rules, I'm getting into a habit of freezing (some) food that I know I won't be able to use before its date. </div><div><br /></div><div>But know that there are lines I would never cross. I started to think about my attitude toward best before dates after I watched this video:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7vrxWbHiSVk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7vrxWbHiSVk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Feel free to watch on 2x speed, it's 15min long.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you ever wanted to know what 60-year-old canned food looks like, know that canned fruit does NOT fare well. Even though the pecans fared quite a bit better than the fried apples, I still wouldn't eat them. </div><br /></div>And on that note...<br /><br />Inspiration: Mouldy Art<br />I've been getting into the spirit of food mould as art lately. It seems to be a craze popping up all over - one place being (of course) a Facebook group. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm putting myself further and further out of touch with people my own age with all these groups...but I digress.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyqKiSlgXVk/XerPF2pOgvI/AAAAAAAAmXQ/xgyWtyBXzUAiIZFWF0k8dWP6CEwQhSzOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-06%2Bat%2B4.58.13%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="922" height="249" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyqKiSlgXVk/XerPF2pOgvI/AAAAAAAAmXQ/xgyWtyBXzUAiIZFWF0k8dWP6CEwQhSzOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-06%2Bat%2B4.58.13%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYHYb9Jq-HA/XerPFZ8FvpI/AAAAAAAAmXM/sWznDDbx92ccJvxfxvRXnGwMZKsD7e79gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYHYb9Jq-HA/XerPFZ8FvpI/AAAAAAAAmXM/sWznDDbx92ccJvxfxvRXnGwMZKsD7e79gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aa.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--uLnT2zdvLU/XerPSV0SU_I/AAAAAAAAmXU/pm18QT0oKkApgCVvnAPYKNyYX9fm59yKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-06%2Bat%2B4.59.16%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="930" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--uLnT2zdvLU/XerPSV0SU_I/AAAAAAAAmXU/pm18QT0oKkApgCVvnAPYKNyYX9fm59yKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-06%2Bat%2B4.59.16%2BPM.png" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKYxmMs27q8/XerPS9JfB3I/AAAAAAAAmXY/kboKfpT-Y-My8cUqFRYbp-pb6lhxlBq7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKYxmMs27q8/XerPS9JfB3I/AAAAAAAAmXY/kboKfpT-Y-My8cUqFRYbp-pb6lhxlBq7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Yep, it's a group that celebrates the magical "science experiments" of growth we find on old forgotten food at the backs of our fridges. By the way, a "science experiment" is something my mother would mockingly call one of these back-fridge mishaps or the occasional forgotten lunch container at the bottom of a backpack.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_x4GKwLDLPE/XerOukRuZpI/AAAAAAAAmXE/O8jAmDxo5HIs8TteuBrj0OtEV80Q28N8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-06%2Bat%2B4.56.42%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="926" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_x4GKwLDLPE/XerOukRuZpI/AAAAAAAAmXE/O8jAmDxo5HIs8TteuBrj0OtEV80Q28N8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-06%2Bat%2B4.56.42%2BPM.png" width="197" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This is my most favouritest post.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The fuzzy mould on queso looks like cute little mice!</i></div><br />I really started to notice the beauty of food mould when I came across lovingly crafted art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katieryankatieryan/">Kathleen Ryan</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPHgs0xtUIk/XectOe_ayOI/AAAAAAAAmUw/d2QWqZJHRCMxuQbs2-fgKWBQ9AZBs4qQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPHgs0xtUIk/XectOe_ayOI/AAAAAAAAmUw/d2QWqZJHRCMxuQbs2-fgKWBQ9AZBs4qQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhKt2x7hjsk/XectPCUanyI/AAAAAAAAmU4/nsjHIw4z6zEMKF3n5qDZMDVsMlrzZi5tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhKt2x7hjsk/XectPCUanyI/AAAAAAAAmU4/nsjHIw4z6zEMKF3n5qDZMDVsMlrzZi5tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ryan creates something beautiful and grotesque in her oversized sculptures of mold-covered fruit. The New York-based artist uses precious and semi-precious stones like malachite, opal, and smoky quartz to form the illusion of mouldy fruit. Made from a foam base at a larger-than-life scale, Ryan paints a simple coloured base and individually places each gemstone. I love the way she uses varied shapes, sizes, and colours to create the shift from delicious to disgusting. Lemons are a common recurring theme of her work, but Ryan also works with oranges and pears. I especially love the peach (below). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6YlIX-dzW8/XectPQJG32I/AAAAAAAAmU8/P6MRnNEH_k8mJNd_cTPqcb08Tm5Ly-zygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6YlIX-dzW8/XectPQJG32I/AAAAAAAAmU8/P6MRnNEH_k8mJNd_cTPqcb08Tm5Ly-zygCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFUP6VZOY80/XectOewucAI/AAAAAAAAmU0/QPoRkttH200DHKOLqy1ochMtINGrUpqoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFUP6VZOY80/XectOewucAI/AAAAAAAAmU0/QPoRkttH200DHKOLqy1ochMtINGrUpqoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0N41uFDyn0o/XectPRKyncI/AAAAAAAAmVA/wvyhtMtq2uMtakrNw18t28soYE2k16O8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1400" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0N41uFDyn0o/XectPRKyncI/AAAAAAAAmVA/wvyhtMtq2uMtakrNw18t28soYE2k16O8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaaaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmdMojjPwbA/XectPuleYHI/AAAAAAAAmVE/ymuzK4IPZVw8gzyeGN2S6SU27JnpQ7A-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaaaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1500" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmdMojjPwbA/XectPuleYHI/AAAAAAAAmVE/ymuzK4IPZVw8gzyeGN2S6SU27JnpQ7A-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaaaaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Each work scales 6 to 29 inches. “The sculptures are beautiful and pleasurable, but there’s an ugliness and unease that comes with them,” Ryan told <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ekksLBx-2/">The New York Times</a>.<br /><br />I have always been drawn to the beautiful science experiments created by food that has long since passed edible and left this material world. The way Ryan is able to capture this spirit with intricate bead and mosaic work is mesmerizing.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-60354427870440499102019-12-01T22:27:00.001-05:002020-01-12T17:25:36.397-05:00Moe Shop, Weird Secondhand Finds & Adam Wallacavage<i>Weekly Update 2019-48: Future funk disco from Moe Shop, the joy of sharing the weird things one finds at secondhand stores and the beautiful light sculptures of Adam Wallacavage.</i><br /><br />Music: Moe Shop<br />What could be better than a mix of two of my favourite kinds of electronic music? Future funk overlaid with anime soundclips from Japan combines with disco/house electro from France to make this fresh electronic sound from Moe Shop. He himself is French, though you wouldn't be able to tell considering the album art, song names and lyrics all looking super cute and anime.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_ObXDjKFAc/XeQ5QDvVl7I/AAAAAAAAmRE/BiJ7C8LNxkMyvBTU4Orf7GqNeKve2fh3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B5.05.23%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7_ObXDjKFAc/XeQ5QDvVl7I/AAAAAAAAmRE/BiJ7C8LNxkMyvBTU4Orf7GqNeKve2fh3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B5.05.23%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A Google Image Search for </i>Moe Shop<i> reveals lots of pretty anime girls.</i></div><br />I first noticed my friend Sasha listening to Moe Shop on Spotify, so thanks to him for bringing the music to my notice. Sasha likes the tonal differences between songs, a little experimentation in electronic music gives Moe Shop the ability to make his mark in the genre. Plus, collaborations with great vocalists always add to the range - especially on the track <i>Lovesick</i> featuring maisou.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/7cvljqLNhWNFMb8wP2NImJ" width="300"></iframe></center><br /><br />Accomplishment:<br />Vena always seems to be hosting some sort of event after hours to get our brand a bit more integrated into the Toronto tech scene. We're nicely located near the Go Train and have a pretty cool office/building space, so it provides for some good opportunities. This past Tuesday Vena hosted <a href="https://womenhack.com/">WomenHack</a> for a networking and speed-interviewing event. I volunteered to give tours of our office and answer any questions from design/tech candidates.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWw0RgYx92A/XeQ5b_9b0BI/AAAAAAAAmRI/rRKeN6rrKso1-3Qbduz7NOfJSjBkQsHXQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWw0RgYx92A/XeQ5b_9b0BI/AAAAAAAAmRI/rRKeN6rrKso1-3Qbduz7NOfJSjBkQsHXQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3606.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Setting up for the night!</i></div><br />It was great to meet so many inspirational young people, and as a bonus my friend and past associate instructor Brit surprised me with her attendance. I had just been thinking of reaching out to see how she was doing, and here she materialized right inside my office building. It was a really great evening.<br /><br />Goal:<br />While I don't really celebrate Christmas, I know there are some present-giving occasions coming up soon like Michelle and Sam's wedding, my friend group Secret Santa and Larissa's birthday. My goal is to get all of their presents together this week so I don't have to worry about them arriving late - especially the Secret Santa gift.<br /><br />This week also brings the second-last week of class for the semester, which is the final lesson-based class. Week 10 is devoted completely to final presentations, and I'm thankful for the three volunteers who will be presenting this week. We'll have enough trouble getting people to stay on time as it is, and there are always technical difficulties as well.<br /><br />Random Thought: Weird Secondhand Finds<br />Another in my series of devotion to a niche set of Facebook groups: <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/WeirdSecondhandFinds">Weird Secondhand Finds That Just Need To Be Shared</a>. </i>This one contains exactly what its title promises - the weird and wacky (but mostly tacky) finds of various secondhand and thrift stores across the world. They are most situated in the suburbs of America, which is fair due to their love of tacky kitsch and collecting it to the point of absurdity at that.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvO5uCStnb4/XeR9YoSyT_I/AAAAAAAAmRo/2q4XqGWYUPA5uJyNFbF5ztQKUkOIkXaJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B9.53.42%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="994" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvO5uCStnb4/XeR9YoSyT_I/AAAAAAAAmRo/2q4XqGWYUPA5uJyNFbF5ztQKUkOIkXaJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B9.53.42%2BPM.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A beautiful corgi dish</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-ohomX4Izs/XeR9ZWp4FjI/AAAAAAAAmRw/CqNkKTEzFPgKmvI73u1XcgKBaNHv_qYPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B9.54.01%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="988" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-ohomX4Izs/XeR9ZWp4FjI/AAAAAAAAmRw/CqNkKTEzFPgKmvI73u1XcgKBaNHv_qYPACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B9.54.01%2BPM.png" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Posts of members trying on their finds are awarded special praise.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyUTIxIfoXU/XeR9ZNR29uI/AAAAAAAAmRs/PtHktYIylNcv1YYg3lelq53fiNZIIzi1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B9.54.40%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="988" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyUTIxIfoXU/XeR9ZNR29uI/AAAAAAAAmRs/PtHktYIylNcv1YYg3lelq53fiNZIIzi1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B9.54.40%2BPM.png" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Some finds are a bit creepy or haunted...</i></div><br />These are all winners, let's be clear about that. But what I am finding really special is the DIY nature that occasionally pops its head up. Yes, the young millennials are taking to the thrift stores to reduce their carbon footprint and save a buck or two. The results of this additional layer of society to the tacky suburban ephemera gives us a stunner like you see below:<br /><i><br /></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: one or more people and indoor" height="640" src="https://scontent.fybz1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/75266132_2773622832689079_1501342398553260032_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&_nc_oc=AQlcLuiGMFYXfJYBwyLm59TGHbbGoUpY8YKqVXN00VA-VkMSOkbB2NejkUuubKlGiD6AW67TNPSiEUjYXkdBm6kl&_nc_ht=scontent.fybz1-1.fna&oh=90215c7d0c52dec9e685d6eca7da6790&oe=5E51627D" width="480" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just to be crystal clear about what you're seeing above: it was originally a kitschy wooden wall handing with some cute (yet arguably square) geese, welcoming you to what would presumably be one's kitchen. Someone most likely donated it to a thrift store in its original inoffensive condition, only to have another person buy it and re-imagine the visage you see above. The geese have seen some things in that kitchen over the years and are now hardened. It's fantastic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What's great is that the group has 1.4 million members at the time of posting this post, and I've definitely seen people I know in real life lurking around the posts. Geese of a feather flock together, I suppose!</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Inspiration: Adam Wallacavage</div><div style="text-align: left;">I do have a penchant for sea creatures, but these lighted works by American-born Adam Wallacavage are simply beautiful.<br /><br /></div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Cc7YjjRL2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;"><div style="padding: 16px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Cc7YjjRL2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> </a><br /><div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Cc7YjjRL2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> </a><br /><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Cc7YjjRL2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; 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line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"></a><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Cc7YjjRL2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Cc7YjjRL2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div><div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translatex(0px) translatey(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translatex(3px) translatey(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translatex(9px) translatey(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div><div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0; transform: translatex(16px) translatey(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid #f4f4f4; transform: translatey(16px); width: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12px; transform: translatey(-4px); width: 16px;"></div><div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid #f4f4f4; height: 0; transform: translatey(-4px) translatex(8px); width: 0;"></div></div></div></a> <br /><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Cc7YjjRL2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">New octopus table lamp I delivered yesterday!</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/octopus_chandeliers/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Adam Wallacavage</a> (@octopus_chandeliers) on <time datetime="2019-09-30T14:14:11+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 30, 2019 at 7:14am PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script> <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />Wallacavage's octopus theme as transposed onto light fixtures makes natural sense as all the tentacles make great chandelier arms. He pushes the concept even further and somehow reinvents it with each piece, spanning styles from kooky to chic.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jIrWKzQ5uo/XeSD_aWzQTI/AAAAAAAAmSE/PhptcbTNV7orS1YZQp3apIUaiqwLdBrWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B10.24.14%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1020" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jIrWKzQ5uo/XeSD_aWzQTI/AAAAAAAAmSE/PhptcbTNV7orS1YZQp3apIUaiqwLdBrWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B10.24.14%2BPM.png" width="238" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IY-yDIHEtxU/XeSENb0NfkI/AAAAAAAAmSI/ZCC58SH1sa8gfmW4XooVXo1AMkx4au6kgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B10.24.59%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="1364" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IY-yDIHEtxU/XeSENb0NfkI/AAAAAAAAmSI/ZCC58SH1sa8gfmW4XooVXo1AMkx4au6kgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B10.24.59%2BPM.png" width="317" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cF-Ev_uV96A/XeSENim2N6I/AAAAAAAAmSM/oiBNB8RRoRANiY-W3fiy9c8Z-POYtAsowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B10.25.21%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1098" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cF-Ev_uV96A/XeSENim2N6I/AAAAAAAAmSM/oiBNB8RRoRANiY-W3fiy9c8Z-POYtAsowCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-12-01%2Bat%2B10.25.21%2BPM.png" width="255" /></a></div><br />I love the playfulness of the concept, and how it brings nature into the home in an interesting way. Check out more on his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Cc7YjjRL2/">Instagram</a>.</div></div>Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-14026833397671017212019-11-24T18:22:00.001-05:002020-01-12T17:25:26.782-05:00Surf Curse, Low Tier Connections & Making It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Weekly Update 2019-47: Bright, beachy tunes from Surf Curse, testing digital products with low-speed internet connections and everything that's great about reality television in NBC's crafting competition show </i>Making It.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWFKbJq7pjU/XdsIwl8ufWI/AAAAAAAAmMc/4ax8muJmVuAsCqCwC7791Ntej_BVIUuZACEwYBhgL/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="873" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWFKbJq7pjU/XdsIwl8ufWI/AAAAAAAAmMc/4ax8muJmVuAsCqCwC7791Ntej_BVIUuZACEwYBhgL/s320/aaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman are back at it - hosting a reality competition show?</i></div><br />Music: <a href="https://www.surfcurse.com/">Surf Curse</a><br />Sunset was as early as 4:50 or something terrible this week, and it's only getting earlier for a few more weeks. In alignment with my seasonal affective disorder, I need happy, summery music to lift my spirits a little. Surf Curse's sound isn't necessarily happy per se, but it feels like that good California rock associated with the beach and summer rays.<br /><br />Their 2019 album <i>Heaven Surrounds You</i> is full of bright sounds, references to cult films of the two bandmates' youth, and a lust for life that floats the listener through December and into April (I hope).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/1EkIOAdhO2Eg15cU5HcupY" width="300"></iframe></div><br />Accomplishment:<br />I've been switching back and forth between two bikes because the weather can't make up its mind. It's nice to have options to continue biking safely through the gross months of the year, this is now making me feel like I should invest in a fatbike and never have to take days off biking. It's really not the cold that's the problem, just the snow on the ground compacting into slippery bumps in the road. Skinny tires definitely don't like it.<br /><br />I also made a tuna casserole as a quick pinch dinner food (every ingredient can be stored in a pantry) and when I was heating some up at work, a coworker I didn't know made a point of complimenting it. This made me reflect on how much I've developed my cooking skills since I moved into this apartment four years ago. Tuna casserole is one of the easiest, "cop-out" meals I can make but someone thought it looked so good (three days later, stuffed into a tupperware) that they made a point to say so! :) It's the little things.<br /><br />Goal:<br />I can't believe it's mid-November, which means I get to plan out my DesignTO schedule. Yes, it's true the event is at the end of January but the schedule is always released around now and I get to plan my own series of events over the course of my favourite week in winter. I'm especially excited to see what events are happening in Liberty Village this year - there aren't too many but I can always count on one or two to visit after work on a random day. Who knows, maybe there will be an event IN my building?!<br /><br />Speaking of my work building, Women in Tech Toronto will be using our big open space to host a women-centric networking and job search event, so I volunteered to help set stuff up and give tours of our office. Maybe someone will drop by who's interested in design as well.<br /><br />Random Thought: Low Tier Connections<br />I was poking around in Chrome's Developer Tools the other day, as one does. As a rule of thumb it's always best to test digital work on a variety of real devices to ensure the experience is the same, but I do appreciate Developer Tools' built-in device toolbar in a pinch.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azJxUt-pl40/Xdlv1BYLj2I/AAAAAAAAmL8/_-kH8S4dsKUdMqXKdmYn0ekq-8OhsnmlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-23%2Bat%2B12.43.22%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azJxUt-pl40/Xdlv1BYLj2I/AAAAAAAAmL8/_-kH8S4dsKUdMqXKdmYn0ekq-8OhsnmlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-23%2Bat%2B12.43.22%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Readers using a desktop Chrome browser can open Developer Tools with these shortcuts:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Mac: cmnd + alt + I (then cmnd + shift + M to open the device toolbar)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Windows: ctrl + shift + I </i><i>(then ctrl + shift + M to open the device toolbar)</i></div><br />That's all well and good, but I noticed something new in the device toolbar that really excited me...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRpENwMBEu4/Xdlv1KinLAI/AAAAAAAAmMA/dAe_ENfsxkY8Dbee2y73Wxpsu0D6HmeSACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-23%2Bat%2B12.41.58%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tRpENwMBEu4/Xdlv1KinLAI/AAAAAAAAmMA/dAe_ENfsxkY8Dbee2y73Wxpsu0D6HmeSACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-23%2Bat%2B12.41.58%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Test with a low-tier internet connection?!</i></div><br />I personally haven't seen such a testing concept so easily provided before - designers and developers can test their digital products with mid-tier and low-tier internet connections. I find this absolutely revolutionary. It's actually a practice of inclusive design to take the time to provide a good experience for those who may not have access to 4G/LTE service. Whether you're in a spotty service area or have no data left in your plan, it is truly responsible of digital creators to take into account that not everyone will be able to load those fancy hi-res animations or videos (or even simple images).<br /><br />Since I am a designer and not a developer, I recognize that there are most likely already products that do this sort of testing. Alongside practices of providing alternative, lower-size assets for those with limited internet speeds, I'm sure any developer worth their salt will be testing to ensure experiences are as optimized as possible.<br /><br />But the magic of having this tool inside Chrome is that it's available more readily and easily to anyone with Chrome installed (most of my readers, from what I gather) and can provide a healthy dose of empathy with only one use.<br /><br />That said - I dare you to try loading a favourite website on the mid-tier or low-tier speed. You'll be amazed with how little time goes by before you get frustrated that the page is "taking too long to load" - we're talking fractions of seconds here.<br /><br />This feature puts things into a bit of perspective as well, perhaps we don't need everything to happen instantly, getting into the habit of waiting an extra half a second for a page to load might even be a good thing.<br /><br />Inspiration: <a href="https://www.nbc.com/making-it">Making It</a><br />Reality television is mostly garbage in my eyes (I think its fans might actually agree with me), but every so often I find an exception to the rule. True magic can be found in some creativity-based competition shows, though the amazing completed works are often undercut with a negativity in working against one's fellow artisans.<br /><br />Somehow, one competition show has at once removed that dark undercut of negativity toward one's competitors and created some of the most inspirational works I have ever seen. And did I mention it's hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman? Yep, the amazing duo from Parks and Rec fame are back at it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWFKbJq7pjU/XdsIwl8ufWI/AAAAAAAAmMY/r8yuGk7BVmcJ_h_0Xh_qafIqYxg85leBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="873" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWFKbJq7pjU/XdsIwl8ufWI/AAAAAAAAmMY/r8yuGk7BVmcJ_h_0Xh_qafIqYxg85leBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I suppose this confirms my sneaking opinion that they were just playing their real personalities on the 2009-2015 sitcom. The duo treat the contestants with love and admiration as they share their project ideas. In between shots of the crafters, Poehler and Offerman go head-to-head in pun battles and other un-scripted banter.<br /><br />The design of the challenges is also extremely dear. For example, the prize for each one is a unique handcrafted patch that the contestants can attach to their working aprons.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80wQWCmG9Xw/XdsLHzXmhOI/AAAAAAAAmMw/JJYocQA-5ZQ-doqj4MoIaq6LQ939cQcwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-24%2Bat%2B5.57.51%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1600" height="203" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80wQWCmG9Xw/XdsLHzXmhOI/AAAAAAAAmMw/JJYocQA-5ZQ-doqj4MoIaq6LQ939cQcwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-24%2Bat%2B5.57.51%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Contestants are challenged to work with reclaimed materials, and applauded when they craft ideas that viewers at home could easily recreate. Most notably was a wonderful children's playspace by contestant and interior designer Joanna Gick.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hH1ePfsIz6c/XdsKUoxUOkI/AAAAAAAAmMk/49w5HzcmYxYDkRCmla2QZo7jE5puZLwxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1024" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hH1ePfsIz6c/XdsKUoxUOkI/AAAAAAAAmMk/49w5HzcmYxYDkRCmla2QZo7jE5puZLwxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The rainbow is made of pool noodles wrapped in felt, which slide on and off a set of wooden dowels to be easy to put away when playtime is done.<br /><br />There are so many things I like about this show, but the #1 lesson it teaches me is that competition shows don't need to be cutthroat. This show features contestants who share their allotted materials, who help to brainstorm ideas communally as they work, contestants who often finish their projects early and volunteer to help their opponents finish their projects in time. The atmosphere is one of love, and it feels extremely genuine.<br /><br />Season one is available today, with season two airing on December 2 (Christmas comes early this year!)Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-91942771983972788752019-11-21T20:00:00.002-05:002020-01-12T17:27:08.601-05:00Strange Ranger, NES Mouse & Do Not Touch<i>Weekly Update 2019-46: Saccharine, melodic appetizers from Strange Ranger, the beauty of 8BitDo's NES Mouse and an epic music video from Studio Moniker that's a joy to watch.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpJaitXwO1c/Xdc0jflq7zI/AAAAAAAAmLo/fZ76tCAPVFciBYsa60a1YxOY-_xiWdL_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-21%2Bat%2B7.50.03%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpJaitXwO1c/Xdc0jflq7zI/AAAAAAAAmLo/fZ76tCAPVFciBYsa60a1YxOY-_xiWdL_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-21%2Bat%2B7.50.03%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tell the music video where you're from with your cursor!</i></div><br />Music: Strange Ranger<br />I got to see one of my favourite bands on Saturday - all-girl sad-rock band <a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2018/06/chastity-belt-learngrowrepeat-design.html" target="_blank">Chastity Belt</a>. Their opener, an almost all-male outfit called Strange Ranger, was a saccharine, melodic appetizer. Leaving their earlier aggressive post-rock days behind in favour of a softer, melancholic mood, their sound reminds me of growing up in the suburbs (in their case, Midwestern America) and simpler days gone by. Sometimes, all you need is something simple and uncomplicated.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/3psutwIiyR5tfTM1TTNxFv" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />I attended an extremely inspirational meetup last week hosted by VentureOut - all about Employee Resource Groups. I learned so much about how companies are championing their employees in leading the charge toward acceptance and understanding of all people and all demographics. Intelex, where the event was held, boasts nine resource groups to date. Amongst their groups for women, people of colour and so on, they also champion a group specifically dedicated to allies of all groups. I hope we can fill shoes as big as theirs someday.<br /><br />Dr. Sarah Saska, founder of <a href="https://www.feminuity.org/" target="_blank">Feminuity</a>, was especially inspirational in her principles that ERG leaders should have time carved out of their workday to focus on these initiatives. I sometimes struggle running the accessibility team at Vena in relation to my normal workload, and I do most of the work with the hope in mind that eventually, more people at the company will understand why accessibility is important to their work (and their lives). It's true.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7Kdo_6N3I4/XdcsNc8cL6I/AAAAAAAAmLQ/XZcPy3QuhxEfwMnQX2Xc0Gcvvwue2Ex0QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7Kdo_6N3I4/XdcsNc8cL6I/AAAAAAAAmLQ/XZcPy3QuhxEfwMnQX2Xc0Gcvvwue2Ex0QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3549.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9BNYeWeYcyQ/XdcsNakXusI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/uQpLpxLI69cRu_v0k4z8HvJtvxJO67wYgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9BNYeWeYcyQ/XdcsNakXusI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/uQpLpxLI69cRu_v0k4z8HvJtvxJO67wYgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>IBM has over 250 ERGs globally.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7od5UnPMF4/XdcsNam9cjI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/12brqv-qq8EG10M3X6qnyk6JFRSgdp7cACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7od5UnPMF4/XdcsNam9cjI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/12brqv-qq8EG10M3X6qnyk6JFRSgdp7cACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3551.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>What a good ERG should provide its members</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7ssq3vrUfU/XdcsNf6wcsI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/kUrcaFiK3PoiyJ28ohqzCSHchuoeAObKACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7ssq3vrUfU/XdcsNf6wcsI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/kUrcaFiK3PoiyJ28ohqzCSHchuoeAObKACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Shopify has seven ERGs currently. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Vena has only one official ERG - our Network for Women.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-noFMO_6ogY0/XdcsNa7GduI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/RbAcDYwo3fwbf_qN-GZc4iQ_DjD6wX3SQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-noFMO_6ogY0/XdcsNa7GduI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/RbAcDYwo3fwbf_qN-GZc4iQ_DjD6wX3SQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3553.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCcakgPGPZU/XdcsNftDRKI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/q2-Oka9BF-kUKMGyGWb3wZDfRtIwiePhACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCcakgPGPZU/XdcsNftDRKI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/q2-Oka9BF-kUKMGyGWb3wZDfRtIwiePhACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3554.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEWl4ck-Hzg/XdcsNXT5NmI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/aYA34PWg05It2YEgu9Z-MKVL3eFdswyMgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEWl4ck-Hzg/XdcsNXT5NmI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/aYA34PWg05It2YEgu9Z-MKVL3eFdswyMgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MlfRc3k4gT4/XdcsNW-u0JI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/2e4NhkQU3-A0n0PhbDqUCWmqygon0sAPgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MlfRc3k4gT4/XdcsNW-u0JI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/2e4NhkQU3-A0n0PhbDqUCWmqygon0sAPgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEAbjgrD9U0/XdcsNeKD_fI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/DKgjSIc20icIEUzFBJW5QsW7l4B90h2mwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEAbjgrD9U0/XdcsNeKD_fI/AAAAAAAAmLQ/DKgjSIc20icIEUzFBJW5QsW7l4B90h2mwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />I had a really lovely hangout with Christine, an old coworker at EventMobi. We also included Sasha in the mix as they hadn't seen each other in over a year (and it was his birthday). We got to hear all about his new girlfriend from Japan (my favourite thing ever) and for some reason he got me a little gift (reverse birthday). Christine told us about her engagement to Josh(!) and I took them on a tour of my office.<br /><br />I noted that it's going to snow something fierce overnight on Monday so I took my last chance on Sunday to bike over to High Park. It rained a little, but the fall tree colours were still in season and all the animals were out at the zoo. Such a lovely ride up and around the paved paths, though I do wish the non-paved trails were a little smoother to bike on. My bike is definitely not suited to them. And so, the trails in the northeast corner of the park still remain a mystery to me.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1W5IM13tS8/XdG1LpR8M6I/AAAAAAAAmIw/nHc8e9TXz-McJylGck93eTq7ywS1JLfJACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J1W5IM13tS8/XdG1LpR8M6I/AAAAAAAAmIw/nHc8e9TXz-McJylGck93eTq7ywS1JLfJACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3560.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kra2oIsQeV0/XdG1RZXn5NI/AAAAAAAAmI0/sMDLc-SPmusUUmXndulB-s5FZbpavajIQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kra2oIsQeV0/XdG1RZXn5NI/AAAAAAAAmI0/sMDLc-SPmusUUmXndulB-s5FZbpavajIQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />As a twofer, I visited a Bun to try on a dress she is attempting to trade away. It was simply beautiful but simply did not fit me in the chest. A girl can dream.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTON44cT2lo/XdG1LlQcZnI/AAAAAAAAmIw/7ZIIuKf2VT0_e0sa_vNhX5hiX_7jG1Q1QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTON44cT2lo/XdG1LlQcZnI/AAAAAAAAmIw/7ZIIuKf2VT0_e0sa_vNhX5hiX_7jG1Q1QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3574.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Goal:<br />With winter fast approaching, I really want to take my thicker-wheeled bicycle in for a tune up to start riding it after the first big snowfall.<br /><br />My friend Niki is hosting a Murder Mystery party set loosely in the 1920s so I have to put an outfit together in advance of that. I thought I might find something cool on Bunz but it did let me down a little this time. Luckily I have a formal dress in the back of my closet that I've never worn, so it's time to put it on double duty for the multiple parties I have coming up. I believe it was $5 from Value Village a few years ago, so it'll be easy to get good mileage out of it.<br /><br />Random Thought: <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/11/20959999/nintendo-nes-mouse-8bitdo-n30-3d-touch-gaming-system" target="_blank">NES Mouse</a><br />Never in all my days did I think I would see this kind of tech mashup. 8BitDo, a super cool gaming tech company, has somehow taken all the cool things about the original NES controller and turned them into a fully functioning, aesthetically pleasing computer mouse.<br /><br />The D-pad has been moved over to the side to become a webpage operator (back and forth, page up and down) which makes perfect sense. Beyond that, the black space between the two iconic circular red buttons is actually touch-sensitive, allowing for vertical scroll. So elegantly hidden inside the experience of the mouse, I can't get over how cool this design is.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEl4JP2J-tg/XdG0z8ug07I/AAAAAAAAmIk/qUKqU6catfk-eZ4tXLY76xOqq5O8MAomQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-17%2Bat%2B3.59.22%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1470" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEl4JP2J-tg/XdG0z8ug07I/AAAAAAAAmIk/qUKqU6catfk-eZ4tXLY76xOqq5O8MAomQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-17%2Bat%2B3.59.22%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />The design is the brainchild of Swedish industrial designer Daniel Jansson, whose original <a href="http://switchandlever.com/works/nes-mouse/" target="_blank">foam model</a> was covered breathlessly by tech blogs way back in 2009. Ten years later, 8BitDo partnered with Jansson to bring it to life.<br /><br />What I find so magnetizing about this design is its ingenuity in combining function and form, old and new. I suppose part of that comes from the simplicity in the original NES controller design, using simple shapes and only the necessary elements for easy-to-learn gameplay. A D-pad and four buttons were all that was needed to enjoy a true plethora of games.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-Uy_q6Huj8/XdG1DcqQ_9I/AAAAAAAAmIo/EOQ-8znCWwApx5SbcsaJ1lqrabl8P1EwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-Uy_q6Huj8/XdG1DcqQ_9I/AAAAAAAAmIo/EOQ-8znCWwApx5SbcsaJ1lqrabl8P1EwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />8BitDo's N30 mouse aptly captures those memories of hours spent in front of the tube TV trying to beat that super hard level, while at the same time providing a mouse that works seamlessly with the web surfer's needs and habits. It's the best of both worlds, in a compact little thing that just fits so nicely in your hand. I might be in love.<br /><br />Inspiration: <a href="http://donottouch.org/" target="_blank">Do Not Touch</a><br />I occasionally remember that music videos still exist and even more occasionally actually watch one. It's most often by chance, such as the case with this video for the song <i>Kilo</i> by a band called Light Light. The video is completely computer-interactive in such an interesting way. <a href="http://donottouch.org/" target="_blank">Check it out here</a> (and then come back!).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6plHNtV3lo/Xdcw-AdixAI/AAAAAAAAmLc/Bb_EWNYTnvsGmKB-Bw55j7lQnmni1SaXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-21%2Bat%2B7.50.03%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6plHNtV3lo/Xdcw-AdixAI/AAAAAAAAmLc/Bb_EWNYTnvsGmKB-Bw55j7lQnmni1SaXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-21%2Bat%2B7.50.03%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Note the video starts with a fake tube TV frame around it.</i></div><br />What a cool way to bring the audience into the experience. The webpage records your cursor position while you watch the music video, and then proceeds to provide cheeky directions that you can choose to follow or not. All while you watch, a bunch of other previous visitors' cursors are also present on the screen. It gives a sort of view to the makeup of society through their actions as related to the scenes in the video itself, playing in the background of the cursors.<br /><br />What a simple, yet intriguing way to utilize simple technology and allow visitors to become part of the experience. It reminds me of past projects by <a href="http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/" target="_blank">Arcade Fire for <i>We Used To Wait</i></a> and <a href="https://www.stainedglassvideo.com/" target="_blank">Real Estate for <i>Stained Glass</i></a>. I imagine I'm not alone in my lack of contact with music videos these days now that cable television is a thing of the boomer past, so it would make sense that some bands would want to push their experiences to the internet. In doing so, experience designers have so much more creative possibility with the power of code added to the artistic format of time-based media. What a cool artform!<br /><br />The music video for <i>Kilo</i> was made by Amsterdam based interactive design studio <a href="https://studiomoniker.com/">Moniker</a> - who have made some other equally cool projects I may include in a future post.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-78322096166182834882019-11-17T12:28:00.002-05:002020-01-12T17:26:26.216-05:00Night Music, Nunchi & Double King<i>Weekly Update 2019-45: Relaxing with the severely underrated soundtracks of the </i>Animal Crossing<i> series, practicing the art of a quick nunchi and the years of toil it takes to make something as cool as Felix Colgrave's </i>Double King<i>.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBBznlhdfqg/XdGDAnSUgaI/AAAAAAAAmIY/J3x3g4cu5xc-1nZ3YCoGYjJ6ud4hJ9qLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBBznlhdfqg/XdGDAnSUgaI/AAAAAAAAmIY/J3x3g4cu5xc-1nZ3YCoGYjJ6ud4hJ9qLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A still from </i>Double King.</div><i><br /></i><br />Music: Relaxing Animal Crossing Night Music<br />Oh yeah, it's time for a YouTube compilation. Amongst the world's best and most accessible collection of Chillhop lies a series of Animal Crossing-themed mixes for calm evenings at home. So many aspects of the game series are amazing, but its music is truly in a class of its own. Each building the characters visit has its own theme song along with different seasons, holidays and even times of day or weather all taking part in shaping the audio soundscape of the game. The simple nature of the tunes, alongside the nostalgia for the game, provides a calming experience that is simply unmatched for me.<br /><br />This one is a particular mix of relaxing night music overlaid with ambient nature sounds (like being at a campfire) but there are lots of other Animal Crossing Chillhop mixes to pick from.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6fYwtCsDsbM" width="480"></iframe></div><br />Accomplishment:<br />Halloween round 3 is complete, and I have now worn out my wings as a Halloween costume. They're good for one more photo, though. I especially love the pumpkins in the background.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9q0sTADXvUY/XczKVUQYleI/AAAAAAAAmGg/IOabrW54B2wNa0tyiD2zewRsSSg4VEqtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9q0sTADXvUY/XczKVUQYleI/AAAAAAAAmGg/IOabrW54B2wNa0tyiD2zewRsSSg4VEqtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I attended a movie night at my friend Phil's place after a long hiatus from the semi-annual event. The group has been carrying on well without me, expanding in both audience members and involving a food aspect. His roommate is a graduate of George Brown for culinary arts, and made the most delicious chilli and cornbread. It really inspired me to make a cornbread chilli casserole soon. Tis the season for casseroles.<br /><br />Ruth-Ann and I had a lovely spot of tea at Kitten and the Bear over the weekend, and I picked out an Apricot, White Cherry and Amaretto jam to take home. I can see whole apricots poking through to the wall of the jar, it's gonna be a good time.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNAftGpIooA/XczPvtAbuNI/AAAAAAAAmGs/2PrvYm8uUz0I7NH_7TU-bGj6lizQlnczwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNAftGpIooA/XczPvtAbuNI/AAAAAAAAmGs/2PrvYm8uUz0I7NH_7TU-bGj6lizQlnczwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3545.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AjRc_1n2Kc/XczPvl9jXuI/AAAAAAAAmGs/y4halFxzKlwS2kDe7jD0L55rMiPpxJ6SwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AjRc_1n2Kc/XczPvl9jXuI/AAAAAAAAmGs/y4halFxzKlwS2kDe7jD0L55rMiPpxJ6SwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3546.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03MasfSQ1rw/XczPvh6V-gI/AAAAAAAAmGs/RInd9yzyly8FzfwagormC5PiEnqrLs6VQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03MasfSQ1rw/XczPvh6V-gI/AAAAAAAAmGs/RInd9yzyly8FzfwagormC5PiEnqrLs6VQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3547.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />She surprised me as well by having Pop Tarts pre-ordered as an extra treat. Anything made with K&B jam is just 1000x better.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsewtESXan4/XczPvv0C2nI/AAAAAAAAmGs/TSeXuhBXdcwNc7YDVu8g4KD1w8oVIK-9ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsewtESXan4/XczPvv0C2nI/AAAAAAAAmGs/TSeXuhBXdcwNc7YDVu8g4KD1w8oVIK-9ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3543.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I finally got to do some stuff around the house that always makes me feel more balanced and calm. I installed some insulation film on my window to keep out some of the draft this winter, put away summer clothes, and brought out some heaters. I try to use smart timers and such to auto-control heaters in different parts of the apartment without wasting too much energy. Having a heater auto-start in the bathroom five minutes before my alarm in the mornings is key - no one wants to sit on a cold toilet seat.<br /><br />Goal:<br />This is possibly the most excited I have ever been for a meetup. <a href="https://www.ventureout.ca/" target="_blank">VentureOut</a> is back with a night of talks surrounding <a href="https://www.catalyst.org/topics/ergs/" target="_blank">Employee Resource Groups</a>. I would probably attend any event hosted by VentureOut, I really like the topics they focus around, and the other attendees that are attracted to their events all seem like cool, smart and empathetic people.<br /><br />Employee Resource Groups are voluntary, employee-led groups that foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with organizational mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives. Other benefits include the development of future leaders, increased employee engagement, and expanded marketplace reach. Vena has one - our <a href="https://venasolutions.com/n4w/" target="_blank">Network for Women</a>, and I am motivated to keep that number rising. Specifically, I want to know what other companies are doing and how we can create an ERG for accessibility concerns.<br /><br />Another EventMobi reunion is planned for this weekend: I get to hang out with Christine and Sasha (first time seeing him since he returned from Japan). It's been almost a year since I last saw Christine, even though our offices are so closeby that we've recently switched a few employees between the two companies. That's tech in Toronto for you. It's also Sasha's big 30 birthday so we've got to make some kind of commemoration.<br /><br />Random Thought: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/02/opinion/sunday/nunchi.html" target="_blank">Nunchi</a><br />A friend turned me onto the idea of nunchi, a Korean "secret to happiness and success" that has been practiced for quite some time. As per the New York Times article linked above, the author recalls being scolded as a child by her strict Korean parents, "Why don't you have any nunchi?"<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">There is a Korean expression, “Half of social life is nunchi.” You need nunchi to get along with people, to get what you want out of people in a purely pragmatic sense and to protect yourself from danger. Nunchi emphasizes speed — if you are a skilled nunchi practitioner, Koreans don’t say you have “good” nunchi, they say you have “quick” nunchi.</blockquote>To me, nunchi feels like a mix of mindfulness, common sense and spatial empathy. Being able to read a room is a big part of this; from walking into a party that has already started to deciding how to present ideas to a room full of C-level executives who look bored or annoyed.<br /><br />It can be hard to practice nunchi in today's world full of distractions. It requires a quiet mind in order to open up to the information being presented from the outside. Nunchi feels similar to being a sponge - if you're all filled up with your own thoughts then you won't be able to absorb anything external.<br /><br />Before I read about nunchi, I had been practicing improving my listening skills. It's so easy to fall into passive listening, focusing on what we want to say next instead of actively listening to our conversation partner. I think nunchi aligns well with focusing on the information others can offer us (through speaking, body language, room position, facial expression) so that we can make more informed choices about our actions.<br /><br />I definitely recommend taking a bit of your Sunday to read the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/02/opinion/sunday/nunchi.html" target="_blank">full article on nunchi</a>.<br /><br />Inspiration: Double King<br />It had been so long since I had attended Phil's movie nights that a new addition had been added to the playlist. After two vaguely Sci-Fi-genred film features from the same director, we now enjoy a palette cleanser in the form of audience-sourced YouTube videos. Our friend Alexis suggested a nine-minute animated story by Australian animator Felix Colgrave entited <i>Double King</i>. Check it out below:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/w_MSFkZHNi4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w_MSFkZHNi4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><br />Lovingly, painstakingly hand-animated over two years by Colgrave alone, the piece is an animation marvel of its time. From character design to backgrounds and landscapes to the fluid motion of the characters themselves, there is so much to see here. I had to watch it twice in a row the first time I watched it.<br /><br />Perhaps what I enjoy most about <i>Double King </i>is the cheeky flitting around in the tone of the story from surreal to humorous to extremely dark, perhaps a little tear-jerking at times. Colgrave's dedication to cover so many moods in nine short minutes pays homage to his knack for storytelling, rivalling his excellent illustration and animation skills.<br /><br />Colgrave has been influenced by animations from a young age, his earliest works found on YouTube date back to when he was only 15 years old. More recently, Colgrave has created animated videos for various musicians such as Nicki Minaj, Fever The Ghost, and DJ Mustard. These music-videos helped Colgrave expand in the community. In 2017, Colgrave released the legendary animation Double King, which sits at 30 million views as of the writing of this post.<br /><br />Reiterating that such a thing of beauty takes a long time and lots of hard work to bring into reality. This nine minute animation took two years to finish, not including the years and years that Colgrave spent honing his craft before embarking in this project.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-9607547043785864462019-11-11T18:53:00.002-05:002020-01-12T17:28:45.852-05:00Drool, Patch Notes & a11yTOConf<i>Weekly Update 2019-44: Catchy music from interdisciplinary duo Drool, a rap-king who isn't too big to fix his own mistakes and many lessons learned from this year's big conference on accessibility in Toronto.</i><br /><br />Music: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-681680806" target="_blank">Drool</a><br />Something a little different this week: interdisciplinary artist Cara Stricker and musician John Kirby collaborate for the second time to bring you a beautifully catchy song and its very own music video for their song <i>End Girl</i>.<br /><br />It's so rare that I take the time to watch music videos these days, so I figured that a video made specifically with its song rather than being an afterthought would be a good place to break back in. All filmed as a one-shot in California, I found it similar to walking dazed through a weird house party, trying to find a spot to get lit.<br /><br />Warning: NSFW due to nudity.<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VfljRAaySpY" width="480"></iframe></center><center></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">Since Drool is a special project with only two songs, they've gotten themselves lumped together in Spotify with what appears to be TWO other bands of the same name (one is thrash metal, the other experimental noise electronica). Keep in mind I can only endorse this song and <i>Down</i>.</center><br />Accomplishment:<br />I have now learned that class 4 of the UI semester is basically a real-life YouTube tutorial for Sketch. While it certainly is useful to the students' learning, there are so, so many recorded YouTube tutorials that already offer the same information for free. I told this class on day one that they should check out Pablo Stanley's wonderful <i>Sketch Together</i> tutorials, because they're easy, free, and effective. It's how I learned to use Sketch and I have never gone back to Adobe since.<br /><br />Of course there are benefits for the students; they'll stop me and ask to go over something again or I might let them pick the examples I use to show the skills so it becomes more relevant to them. Like showing them how to create a symbol component, but they choose which component I make. A student did mention to me that my style of tutorial allowed her to finally stick with Sketch after she didn't click with it during previous sessions. What a nice compliment!<br /><br />I was very lucky to have my work foot the bill for me to attend two days of #a11yTOConf - an amazing lineup of speakers on all things accessibility. More on that below.<br /><br />After a whirlwind week, I took my mother out on the town to check out a special exhibit on the <a href="https://www.knoll.com/knollnewsdetail/masters-of-modern" target="_blank">Masters of Modern</a> furniture design. Works by Mies Van Der Rohe, Marcel Breuer and Florence Knoll, alongside the wondersome textiles of Anni Albers, warmly filled the first-floor meeting areas of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto-Dominion_Centre" target="_blank">Toronto-Dominion Centre</a> (also architected by Van Der Rohe).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQskNx7-5wQ/XcnphhdDXDI/AAAAAAAAmFY/gSfO6LOwd3IHoBzM6_opCB3ODyzThmrpwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQskNx7-5wQ/XcnphhdDXDI/AAAAAAAAmFY/gSfO6LOwd3IHoBzM6_opCB3ODyzThmrpwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3476.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJVxZzA1gq8/XcnphvHQ62I/AAAAAAAAmFY/krzswNbrhFEG8ToXArkRluaxf_FEswQjgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJVxZzA1gq8/XcnphvHQ62I/AAAAAAAAmFY/krzswNbrhFEG8ToXArkRluaxf_FEswQjgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo17DAKAc0Q/XcnphuwF1WI/AAAAAAAAmFY/A65q6PZNRYYL9qNxKU1ZKhnB4ilRNDyvwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo17DAKAc0Q/XcnphuwF1WI/AAAAAAAAmFY/A65q6PZNRYYL9qNxKU1ZKhnB4ilRNDyvwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3472.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1UJgqz-iXA/XcnphvcfqVI/AAAAAAAAmFY/VrOjnqM9xmMhZm5o4XjX6ifj1oPvYyuwQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1UJgqz-iXA/XcnphvcfqVI/AAAAAAAAmFY/VrOjnqM9xmMhZm5o4XjX6ifj1oPvYyuwQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3479.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Some of Anni Albers's textile strips.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drd7iFVjdqs/XcnphsIrAnI/AAAAAAAAmFY/tR2eR-Yj4REknx3T8995khOYqH23ZgLRQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drd7iFVjdqs/XcnphsIrAnI/AAAAAAAAmFY/tR2eR-Yj4REknx3T8995khOYqH23ZgLRQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Foreground: installation furniture.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Background: cheap knockoff(?) downstairs for everyday use.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PK2oZdqrGas/XcnphgWHKGI/AAAAAAAAmFY/nIiVjov3WEsad2WwSuxxWM2szjzhDPkbQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PK2oZdqrGas/XcnphgWHKGI/AAAAAAAAmFY/nIiVjov3WEsad2WwSuxxWM2szjzhDPkbQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3469.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Some of the Nuit Blanche sculptures from the MaRS building were also hanging out.</i></div><br />Their attention to form and function together as a joint problem to be solved is forever inspirational to me. If we can provide satisfaction in having a product work as expected, why not do the same for its aesthetic appeal? The two aspects forever enhance each other, and just make for a very comfortable chair to sit in. Others agreed, because the exhibit furniture was being used by various business people as we explored through all the iconic pieces.<br /><br />After that, we walked over to a restaurant called Chotto Matte - a feast for the eyes as much as the mouth. They specialize in <a href="https://theculturetrip.com/south-america/peru/articles/nikkei-the-japanese-peruvian-culinary-sensation/" target="_blank">Nikkei</a>, the combination of Japanese and Peruvian foods. Of course, both cultures have the staple of fresh raw fish, but the magic is in the mixture of Japan's complex-yet-subtle flavours with Peru's bright spices and prized starches of corn, yucca and potato.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfVsI_Nl2hM/XcnphqZcwRI/AAAAAAAAmFY/ieMd2LjVpzUrqgBTr4YlKDZ1sjVLPZx3wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfVsI_Nl2hM/XcnphqZcwRI/AAAAAAAAmFY/ieMd2LjVpzUrqgBTr4YlKDZ1sjVLPZx3wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3485.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awkA8hNCeYk/Xcnphm7bajI/AAAAAAAAmFY/64j3DyHUlcw4mUqYATXG4-jcVEOaSXQTgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awkA8hNCeYk/Xcnphm7bajI/AAAAAAAAmFY/64j3DyHUlcw4mUqYATXG4-jcVEOaSXQTgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3487.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XdnVQRlotU/Xcnphmzgx1I/AAAAAAAAmFY/3jiuUqgbLGQ8Z9dL4sXMgiKETnzMK0GXQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6XdnVQRlotU/Xcnphmzgx1I/AAAAAAAAmFY/3jiuUqgbLGQ8Z9dL4sXMgiKETnzMK0GXQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3489.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1r_PeySOl5o/XcnphmZID8I/AAAAAAAAmFY/xieVOYCHBz80C3BE-KGraniX8o5JVuiewCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1r_PeySOl5o/XcnphmZID8I/AAAAAAAAmFY/xieVOYCHBz80C3BE-KGraniX8o5JVuiewCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3499.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />The restaurant didn't look too bad, either. It had a really cool layout with a second-floor bathroom beyond a corridor filled with blacklight abstract art.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLiohAk4EI8/XcnphlfgaRI/AAAAAAAAmFY/cPH6EmxQC28Lq3hUSZmiY5MjbAu8wtLjACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLiohAk4EI8/XcnphlfgaRI/AAAAAAAAmFY/cPH6EmxQC28Lq3hUSZmiY5MjbAu8wtLjACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3491.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6KVTPE_RBI/XcnphjSF0iI/AAAAAAAAmFY/P_tSz66ssOwIjMf90NoNf1aCOMZLs9qoQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6KVTPE_RBI/XcnphjSF0iI/AAAAAAAAmFY/P_tSz66ssOwIjMf90NoNf1aCOMZLs9qoQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />The weekend was equally filled: attending a church sale with Larissa and then helping her with her annual Halloween party. The next day I took Emilia and Jess around Kensington for the last Pedestrian Sunday of the year.<br /><br />In the spirit of cleaning and refreshing with the seasons, I decided to rearrange my furniture a bit again ... and I found a mouse. Having to dispose of it was probably the scariest thing I've had to do in a while, I had to psyche myself up to it for a few minutes so I'll call that an accomplishment, too.<br /><br />Goal:<br />Next weekend Ruth-Ann is taking me back to Kitten and the Bear for another lovely round of afternoon tea. This will be my first visit to the new, bigger location. I can't wait to pick a jar off their wall of jams...all their new flavours always make my mouth water.<br /><br />Yes, the seasons are changing and I have stuff to do around the house. I want to apply some window insulation film to a window as a test, put away my summer clothes and fish the space heater out of the closet. I still aim not to turn it on in earnest until it gets colder out, but I've already had one weirdly cool October night trying to sleep with a cold nose...not my favourite thing to do.<br /><br />Random Thought: Patch Notes<br />Within twelve hours of releasing his ninth album, Kanye West's producers are releasing fixes and patch notes to Apple Music. For an artist who declared himself "the greatest human artist to ever exist," I gotta respect the creative will to strive forever toward an unattainable perfection.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><div dir="ltr" lang="en">Imagine declaring yourself the greatest human artist to ever exist and then releasing an album so bad that it has patch notes <a href="https://t.co/pQUcTA8Kca">pic.twitter.com/pQUcTA8Kca</a></div>— SPOOKY Fleas @ MFF (@SpookyFleas) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpookyFleas/status/1189725816147578882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></center>This isn't the first time Kanye has released fixes to his music post-release, which I guess is a thing musicians can do now in the age of streaming music that can't be physically owned by fans. If someone had purchased a physical copy of this release, it would have those mistakes on it forever. I hate to mention Tr*mp on this blog for the piece of crap that he is, but it looks like he got the one with the mistakes...<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><div dir="ltr" lang="en">Kanye West is cracking the culture code.<a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kanyewest</a>’s new album <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JesusIsKing?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JesusIsKing</a> is the epitome of fearless creativity and “dangerous, unapproved” ideas.<br /><br />Leftists always try to silence those who are speaking truth. They’re waging a war on our family and culture.<br /><br />Kanye is a pioneer <a href="https://t.co/EmPgLqgGZJ">pic.twitter.com/EmPgLqgGZJ</a></div>— Donald Tr*mp Jr. (@DonaldJTr*mpJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1188982758359601157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></center>Maybe you can ask your friend Kanye for a refund on your presidential vinyl record.<br /><br />Inspiration: #a11yTOConf<br />There were so many good talks at this year's Toronto-grown accessibility conference. I appreciated the variance in subject matter from applying accessibility to design and development to problem solving, accessibility and government, politics, and so much more.<br /><br />Tatiana Mac gave a particularly impactful talk on the importance of understanding the power we wield as content creators, building small pieces that combine up into overarching systems - these systems often unwittingly force us to comply for the benefit of the modern-day emperors and kings (the tech CEO makes an average of 287x their worker's salary). We can make choices in our work not to comply with rules set by people who will never experience the negative outcomes of their haphazardly-made decisions. Check out her slides <a href="https://slides.com/tatianamac/systems-of-systems/fullscreen#/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FtlscPaQWA/XcnzkGehYNI/AAAAAAAAmFo/kw3By0xw04EPcqqNsYx89fxifaBEzfTJACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FtlscPaQWA/XcnzkGehYNI/AAAAAAAAmFo/kw3By0xw04EPcqqNsYx89fxifaBEzfTJACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tatiana's slide showing how exclusionary societies and ecosystems are cyclical in nature - we must break free of the positive feedback loop.</i></div><br />Chancey Fleet's talk contained a total of zero slides - as a person with sight loss herself, she wanted to provide a bit of immediate understanding from the audience about the importance of alternatives to sight-based drawing tools for creativity. All humans need the outlet of creation (the way many of us are taught to draw at a young age) in order to grasp concepts and apply them to new ideas. Chancey explained some really wonderful advancements in technology that aim to bridge this gap, like the Swellform machine that can sense where ink exists on a page, automatically raising it up to give texture and understanding through touch as well as sight.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NaQCA-zTxmg/XcnzkL844xI/AAAAAAAAmFo/0izqzJlnxR89d5yrZZli-E4z_9mjtcqTQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NaQCA-zTxmg/XcnzkL844xI/AAAAAAAAmFo/0izqzJlnxR89d5yrZZli-E4z_9mjtcqTQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Chancey onstage with her support dog, as well as a sign language interpreter.</i></div><br />Shell Little gave a Dungeons & Dragons-themed presentation on the underrepresentation of accessibility guidelines surrounding people who are neurodiverse (a range of cognitive disabilities). I tend to find trouble reading through content on a webpage filled with flashing ads or filling out a form when I can see a blinking timer ticking down. Many of Shell's examples felt like underserved areas of user experience design, and gave me further hope that accessibility and usability can be achieved together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weY4ZRAeMF0/XcnzkEM2_UI/AAAAAAAAmFo/4kkL9CNpvEs0ZUrwDv4o5aMJQIBzY1jJQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weY4ZRAeMF0/XcnzkEM2_UI/AAAAAAAAmFo/4kkL9CNpvEs0ZUrwDv4o5aMJQIBzY1jJQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Shell showing us the D&D Roadmap for her presentation.</i></div><br />Shell also discussed the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory" target="_blank">Spoon Theory</a>, the idea that we each only have a certain amount of energy (or spoons) at the start of any day. Various tasks will take away a certain amount of one's spoons until they are left with none. One cannot complete any more tasks until one's spoons are replenished through rest. Yet another reminder that design should be as simple as possible so as not to require any more spoons from the user than what are absolutely required to get the job done.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-45473171846416887752019-11-03T19:44:00.001-05:002020-01-12T17:29:11.815-05:00Juice B Crypts, Nice Design Feels & Menhera Kei<i>Weekly Update 2019-43: An electrifying, jiggly new album from Battles, how to get those nice design feels for users with a variety of needs and the fashion of bringing visibility to mental health in Japan and globally.</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3SZQUuLOk0/Xb9xHTXwgmI/AAAAAAAAl9Y/_VIwcthSC8UmJtOCf2cIsInUuOFrpsfHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3SZQUuLOk0/Xb9xHTXwgmI/AAAAAAAAl9Y/_VIwcthSC8UmJtOCf2cIsInUuOFrpsfHACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaaa.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The art of pulling off the perfect cute..."sick makeup"?</i></div><br />Music: Juice B Crypts<br />Though I have already dedicated <a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2015/10/weekly-update-battles.html" target="_blank">a blog post</a> to prog rock kings of the 2010s Battles, their new album got me so excited that I figured it was time to bring them back into the mix again. Their 2019 release <i>Juice B Crypts</i> brings back everything I love about their sound: methodical layering of sounds, weird offbeat drum patterns, irregular time signatures and really cool collaborations with vocalists. Their fourth studio album brings fresh pairings with indie-pop weirdo Tune-Yards, Yes's Jon Anderson, Sub Pop hip-hop Shabazz Palaces and talented wordsmith Sal Principato.<br /><br />Every song is a banger. I already have my ticket to see them in December at Lee's Palace, in the same venue just over four years since they last toured Toronto. Maybe I'll find a cool band shirt this time.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/6LeYueasOA7fqVq5963paw" width="300"></iframe></center><br /><br />Accomplishment:<br />Ah, the second-longest week of my BrainStation semester is completed. I marked through my students' project briefs and got a feel for their app ideas. Reading through them is always interesting, but it can get a little tiresome to go through them all in such a short time. I compromised with myself and spent my Last Nice Weekend™ marking the briefs on the sunny patio at work. Since no one is around the office on Sundays, I got the chance to play on the drum kit as a little reward.<br /><br />On the festive side, I got to create my halloween costume for Yuni's annual halloween birthday party this weekend. It was so nice to see all my old friends from working at the newspaper at York back in the day.<br /><br />Goal:<br />This week brings the accessibility conference <a href="https://conf.a11yto.com/playlist" target="_blank">a11yTOConf</a>, two enriching days of learning to care for the needs of our users as content creators. I'm excited to meet some people, watch some inspirational talks, and bring back some useful content for the accessibility team at work.<br /><br />Next weekend, Larissa is hosting her annual halloween dinner party. We're going to check out a church sale in the morning and then I'll help her to cook some spooky foods for dinner.<br /><br />On Sunday, Emilia and Jessica and I will check out the final Kensington Market Pedestrian Sunday of the year. Even without the drumming, I'm sure there will still be some cool things going on.<br /><br />Random Thought: Nice Design Feels<br />With a11yTO coming up this week, I've been thinking about my goals for accessibility in the things I design. In my work and the products I interact with as a user, I find the best experiences come from interfaces that are designed in a way that fits the user as closely as possible. This can be achieved by gaining understanding of the problem by testing with multiple perspectives in user research, and then achieving a design that either works for all those perspectives, or can be customized to work for any of them.<br /><br />And how will you know when you're successful? Ask people and do more testing. To me, designing things to be accessible is akin to the internal sigh you feel when something is just designed nicely, cleanly, and in a way that fits users. It's often subconscious (I've mentioned before that design is a thankless job) but it's the best thing ever when you get it right - for the designer and their users.<br /><br />Inspiration: Menhera Kei<br />Fashion moves so fast these days; a lot of stuff passes me by. I just found out about a Japanese based fashion steeped in sickly sweet colours and a love of...mental health? Yep, Menhera (メンヘラ) is Japanese slang for mental health and this has somehow become a fashion trend. I know that when anything from Japan enters the mainstream in North America, it's probably old by now, so cut me some slack if you're already in the know.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3SZQUuLOk0/Xb9xHTXwgmI/AAAAAAAAl9Y/_VIwcthSC8UmJtOCf2cIsInUuOFrpsfHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R3SZQUuLOk0/Xb9xHTXwgmI/AAAAAAAAl9Y/_VIwcthSC8UmJtOCf2cIsInUuOFrpsfHACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaaa.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Credit to <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/jumigs/art/Menhera-Kei-Anatomy-717446627" target="_blank">Jumigs on Deviantart</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyFxOnS-mP8/Xb9xHbYsj0I/AAAAAAAAl9U/z_ElOKi5eWg7IZpvi9et2F6mIbNuVKt4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="456" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyFxOnS-mP8/Xb9xHbYsj0I/AAAAAAAAl9U/z_ElOKi5eWg7IZpvi9et2F6mIbNuVKt4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfvRkPxbIuE/Xb9xHtXAb1I/AAAAAAAAl9c/75QjmpqWChMNuWKFLaXE-VJ5N1H2anooACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-03%2Bat%2B7.29.48%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="766" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfvRkPxbIuE/Xb9xHtXAb1I/AAAAAAAAl9c/75QjmpqWChMNuWKFLaXE-VJ5N1H2anooACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-11-03%2Bat%2B7.29.48%2BPM.png" width="247" /></a></div><br />Menhera was started to revealed to reveal the 'mask' people use when surrounding mental illness and sickness. I think the stigma we feel around mental illness around the world definitely makes people feel like they have to put on a mask every day to hide their pain or feelings of "otherness" amongst "normal" people. As a sufferer of chronic mental illness, I am starting to see that it is not as uncommon as society tries to convey and this fashion movement makes attempts to normalize it through a "kawaii" lens.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwBfMm7iVws/Xb9z4cO4RyI/AAAAAAAAl94/QaE_hddDMZ8_wTRCVMgAm0DProQJHwV0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="539" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NwBfMm7iVws/Xb9z4cO4RyI/AAAAAAAAl94/QaE_hddDMZ8_wTRCVMgAm0DProQJHwV0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aa.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--wn0py8YqBc/Xb9z4Y3TD7I/AAAAAAAAl90/fN3MJ4Z_sBAmQBQQLe6yjaAte1gkCiw4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--wn0py8YqBc/Xb9z4Y3TD7I/AAAAAAAAl90/fN3MJ4Z_sBAmQBQQLe6yjaAte1gkCiw4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tt3VRutgkdc/Xb9z4eDLQLI/AAAAAAAAl9w/_GjSJF2Y8TETj_oAICksBRNduPU4Do05QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="494" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tt3VRutgkdc/Xb9z4eDLQLI/AAAAAAAAl9w/_GjSJF2Y8TETj_oAICksBRNduPU4Do05QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Especially as mental illness is invisible, the use of medical-related imagery and "sick makeup" allows people to visually express how they feel on the inside for others to better understand them. Much as the movement might seem frivolous with cute characters and pastel colours, I think it's an interesting representation of the fact that life is a mix of good and bad. Sometimes we have to take the pleasant pink clouds with the giant, sparkly syringes.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-42235462064750127612019-10-30T23:08:00.004-04:002020-01-13T13:31:58.217-05:00Cuthead, Time Dilation & Band in China<i>Weekly Update 2019-42: Genre-mashing hip-hop influenced beats from Cuthead, a look into time dilation (aka the real length of a microwave minute) and the South Park episode that was banned in China.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4sXChA7Fgw/XbpLySkc9cI/AAAAAAAAl5c/spKlgpueMhQE_H-k8CEErqOWSpYHXxZmwCEwYBhgL/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="960" height="254" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4sXChA7Fgw/XbpLySkc9cI/AAAAAAAAl5c/spKlgpueMhQE_H-k8CEErqOWSpYHXxZmwCEwYBhgL/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What's the real length of a microwave minute?</i></div><br />Music: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/cuthead" target="_blank">Cuthead</a><br />Out of Germany comes Cuthead, a producer with old-school Hip Hop roots that show through under his genre-hopping, more electronic focused new work. Real name: Robert Arnold. Genre: Why pick one? Wonky, Dub, Dubstep, Techno, House and IDM/ Electronica are all at home in his music. All of that, mixed with interesting samples of vocals from musical eras past and present makes for an interesting soundtrack that works for a surprising amount of situations. I think it works pretty well as study music, too.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/1z39BS5hTB0I2kL3w8ux5n" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />Oktoberfest is Wunderbar! Yes, my third season of Oktoberfest with Kaylin and Will has come and gone. We got to see the Thanksgiving Parade and attend two days of festivities.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3iWGhii2Xk/Xbo0tvIENLI/AAAAAAAAl40/EbrICLXXeBIYm-rSA1yC5JytgmOTvzx6ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3iWGhii2Xk/Xbo0tvIENLI/AAAAAAAAl40/EbrICLXXeBIYm-rSA1yC5JytgmOTvzx6ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3193.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--V-IrfrVWzQ/Xbo0tr9f8TI/AAAAAAAAl40/syp5SQheKUAmy62jsdfv9mnS2CMu-eM2ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--V-IrfrVWzQ/Xbo0tr9f8TI/AAAAAAAAl40/syp5SQheKUAmy62jsdfv9mnS2CMu-eM2ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3197.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl-wKqrRauc/Xbo0ttFzIwI/AAAAAAAAl40/Zw27SIqKpFkAEohg--FWYHfjJfzfFzBjgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl-wKqrRauc/Xbo0ttFzIwI/AAAAAAAAl40/Zw27SIqKpFkAEohg--FWYHfjJfzfFzBjgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-imr6cSSTmAU/Xbo0tvUo10I/AAAAAAAAl40/0K3_1M3buTYoo2PQn9GGxuBIOSg_dRzoQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-imr6cSSTmAU/Xbo0tvUo10I/AAAAAAAAl40/0K3_1M3buTYoo2PQn9GGxuBIOSg_dRzoQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3268.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOuK9BWK2FQ/Xbo0ttPiCzI/AAAAAAAAl40/SG0Yncyqmc8JvotgXE10gtVJr6r3D2CUwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOuK9BWK2FQ/Xbo0ttPiCzI/AAAAAAAAl40/SG0Yncyqmc8JvotgXE10gtVJr6r3D2CUwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqkg-SoraIk/Xbo0tunv-gI/AAAAAAAAl40/XOSkkw8m1e0GFW2IlMvOCwQJwtzXKmv8QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqkg-SoraIk/Xbo0tunv-gI/AAAAAAAAl40/XOSkkw8m1e0GFW2IlMvOCwQJwtzXKmv8QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3275.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvuAuXptrgA/Xbo0ttzm_6I/AAAAAAAAl40/-meFV9PBr_ox7ygrVBtHPuT_Fa-njMtfACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvuAuXptrgA/Xbo0ttzm_6I/AAAAAAAAl40/-meFV9PBr_ox7ygrVBtHPuT_Fa-njMtfACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3274.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEdcHa491P0/Xbo0trfnS1I/AAAAAAAAl40/7zin1ozaaKEy3tISn6fECSZQa9ZerIlagCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEdcHa491P0/Xbo0trfnS1I/AAAAAAAAl40/7zin1ozaaKEy3tISn6fECSZQa9ZerIlagCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3281.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L00kktL6UQw/Xbo0too3yiI/AAAAAAAAl40/0nvxdO8O6VgCU2xo1HQBCnUGrzRhUhWhgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L00kktL6UQw/Xbo0too3yiI/AAAAAAAAl40/0nvxdO8O6VgCU2xo1HQBCnUGrzRhUhWhgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3282.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XN_IF9P4KMM/Xbo0tmIrsNI/AAAAAAAAl40/A8Lj2JBCJtEbrcr6lWWu7rl5eHMxw8ezACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XN_IF9P4KMM/Xbo0tmIrsNI/AAAAAAAAl40/A8Lj2JBCJtEbrcr6lWWu7rl5eHMxw8ezACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3286.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTinNjjMn-w/Xbo0tnYhVWI/AAAAAAAAl40/3K0XQ4LdcL4jA2fNCnA7CZrQISbrLAYOQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTinNjjMn-w/Xbo0tnYhVWI/AAAAAAAAl40/3K0XQ4LdcL4jA2fNCnA7CZrQISbrLAYOQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wj1Ywmbvuvc/Xbo0trcZK_I/AAAAAAAAl40/0mAnHFwExGQqnrxWs1_lsEQ1lqOeym41gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wj1Ywmbvuvc/Xbo0trcZK_I/AAAAAAAAl40/0mAnHFwExGQqnrxWs1_lsEQ1lqOeym41gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3296.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epWOMvADzII/Xbo0tvoiiEI/AAAAAAAAl40/-Ylz2xQJWGwSxRxFeCIWFbHBCKUKyxDwACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epWOMvADzII/Xbo0tvoiiEI/AAAAAAAAl40/-Ylz2xQJWGwSxRxFeCIWFbHBCKUKyxDwACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3297.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrX4_T44adU/Xbo0trAIR7I/AAAAAAAAl40/eT14IFNPxI0IBvc5Kjvr3m_JCCrK5XZxQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrX4_T44adU/Xbo0trAIR7I/AAAAAAAAl40/eT14IFNPxI0IBvc5Kjvr3m_JCCrK5XZxQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WE FOUND OTTO</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_EJff8-NSE/Xbo0tk7e4ZI/AAAAAAAAl40/5YWro4wpTzE-iOw2VxC1F9h-E0lMUsCqQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_EJff8-NSE/Xbo0tk7e4ZI/AAAAAAAAl40/5YWro4wpTzE-iOw2VxC1F9h-E0lMUsCqQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STsaXYaSjI0/Xbo0tog1DzI/AAAAAAAAl40/O6-t9pN0ydkyCFhimWiAxPi6i6YLaXtYQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STsaXYaSjI0/Xbo0tog1DzI/AAAAAAAAl40/O6-t9pN0ydkyCFhimWiAxPi6i6YLaXtYQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xa2a92BDhdo/Xbo0tqRRl-I/AAAAAAAAl40/rHFWDJ4_O2sU7B7va4se7yQR6tbsAK54QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xa2a92BDhdo/Xbo0tqRRl-I/AAAAAAAAl40/rHFWDJ4_O2sU7B7va4se7yQR6tbsAK54QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ka-lS2TTG9k/Xbo0thg0sEI/AAAAAAAAl40/Bdyl7q9AA_s9TII_1KJjVriYMAXC8rH5ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ka-lS2TTG9k/Xbo0thg0sEI/AAAAAAAAl40/Bdyl7q9AA_s9TII_1KJjVriYMAXC8rH5ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kmiPsPgaT_k/Xbo0tn8uQDI/AAAAAAAAl40/gry5va7aapkqA0XEhCn51nEARY2KrEEkACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kmiPsPgaT_k/Xbo0tn8uQDI/AAAAAAAAl40/gry5va7aapkqA0XEhCn51nEARY2KrEEkACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpgKm4egNOA/Xbo0tkUtqBI/AAAAAAAAl40/3K65rjt6PkofdDXajgDHcWpM-Gd6pCFMwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpgKm4egNOA/Xbo0tkUtqBI/AAAAAAAAl40/3K65rjt6PkofdDXajgDHcWpM-Gd6pCFMwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmhV5V12Mco/Xbo0tmjZuJI/AAAAAAAAl40/p19UjkkHRPkJte4hKwLhWmMll3m8U5nFQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmhV5V12Mco/Xbo0tmjZuJI/AAAAAAAAl40/p19UjkkHRPkJte4hKwLhWmMll3m8U5nFQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />And of course, no visit is complete without a trip to the Value Village to see if they have any vintage Oktoberfest pins. Kaylin found an absolute stunner of a two-piece:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9_H0o3x_bo/Xbo0tmQS8vI/AAAAAAAAl40/4rBjkzfxmMgHAKE1L6pSrVbaM3Kl_r4hgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9_H0o3x_bo/Xbo0tmQS8vI/AAAAAAAAl40/4rBjkzfxmMgHAKE1L6pSrVbaM3Kl_r4hgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3334.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Horse AND carriage?!</div><br />I made a lot of home improvements this week, notably finally cleaning my bathroom, repainting the wall where my collage mural used to be (it's really hard to get sticky tac oil off the wall) and repotted one of my monstera clippings. I'm a little worried I waited too long out of summer and into fall to pot this boy, but if it can make it through this winter it'll be a hardy Canadian plant!<br /><br />Since my wall collage is down off the wall, I was finally able to hang this poster that I (finally) framed on the wall.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi_N34IxSsc/XbpP2cRlHDI/AAAAAAAAl5w/c7zoh-Fkwoc5iS0GNHSw64XGtOw7H6RDwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qi_N34IxSsc/XbpP2cRlHDI/AAAAAAAAl5w/c7zoh-Fkwoc5iS0GNHSw64XGtOw7H6RDwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3530.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All that clean, blank wall around it :)</div><br />I bought this poster in 2016, and only framed it a couple months ago. This was a slow burn.<br /><br />Goal:<br />What an excellent weekend I have ahead of me, straight up marking BrainStation student project briefs from morning til eve. I have this cool idea that I'll get to work outside on the patio at my work (where it's quiet and nice) on Sunday afternoon and then play some drums as a reward. I haven't had any kit time in quite a while...the itches are happening for sure.<br /><br />I am also testing out my Halloween costume at my friend Yuni's birthday/halloween party this weekend. I'm lucky enough to have three weekends of Halloween parties this year (the appropriate amount) so I'll get lots of mileage. Which means I can afford not to wear my costume while I have to teach UI Design on Halloween night.<br /><br />Random Thought: Time Dilation<br />I learned something new about myself recently. One of the strangest side effects of fear is time dilation: the apparent slowing-down of time. It's a common trope in movies and TV, like the memorable scene from The Matrix in which time slows down so dramatically that bullets fired at Keanu Reeves' character seem to move at a walking pace.<br /><br />That's all good, but did you know that people who live with anxiety can experience time dilation at a higher rate? Someone mentioned this to me in passing and it really rang true with me. When I feel anxious, I definitely notice time either slowing or speeding up, depending on the trigger. I am often able to feel the sense of time passing even when it dilates, and I can often guess the time within 3-5 minutes of accuracy. But when I am really off in my guess, that's sometimes a tell of a strong trigger for anxiety.<br /><br />I do find time dilation really interesting in general. We all know that a microwave minute does not equal a minute of watching TV. A jogging minute definitely isn't equal to a minute of eating, and a minute in traffic is nothing like a minute spent on a roller coaster. That's specifically why I love the term "microwave minute" - once used in late 1940s-early 1950s advertisements for microwaveable food products. "Ready in only three microwave minutes!"<br /><br />This was once a marvel of efficiency; to have a (somewhat) square meal, piping hot and ready in <i>only</i> three minutes. These days, I don't have three minutes to spend staring at a spinning block of ice in a box - I want my processed food now! Ah, the microwave minute. A perfect example of time dilation...over time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4sXChA7Fgw/XbpLySkc9cI/AAAAAAAAl5Y/Azcotsv2GtkSQa6DBs4jjP0UlyHv9fBEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="960" height="254" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4sXChA7Fgw/XbpLySkc9cI/AAAAAAAAl5Y/Azcotsv2GtkSQa6DBs4jjP0UlyHv9fBEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Inspiration: South Park's <i>Band in China</i> episode<br />While I can admit that I had quite a heavy South Park phase in high school (as many do), I have since grown out of it and don't really make time for the show these days. When it appeared in one of my news feeds that the show's controversial topics were to include censorship in China in its newest season, my curiosity was piqued.<br /><br />After watching the episode in question (season 23 episode 2) entitled <a href="https://www.wcostream.com/south-park-season-23-episode-2-band-in-china" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Band in China</a>, I must say the show is still taking some pretty interesting risks in the name of free speech and political justice. Specifically this episode tackles the absurdity of the Chinese government's censorship practices, and the growing power and influence they have over American popular culture (especially Disney) due to the massive buying power of their billion plus citizens.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHHMmjv77ZI/Xbo8LVMBjXI/AAAAAAAAl5I/cfgvMq7Z7pA2CS9JsJ8F5WqI51bQyNQQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-10-30%2Bat%2B9.42.48%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHHMmjv77ZI/Xbo8LVMBjXI/AAAAAAAAl5I/cfgvMq7Z7pA2CS9JsJ8F5WqI51bQyNQQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-10-30%2Bat%2B9.42.48%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />One billion Chinese citizens only have access to whatever their government deems "suitable" for them, and American media companies are bending over backwards to the whims of Xi Jinping, China's brand new shiny <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/04/xi-jinping-from-president-to-china-new-dictator" target="_blank">dictator</a>. Xi seeks to abolish term limits for presidency, effectively staying in his reign of power forever.<br /><br /><br />The South Park episode pokes at the fact that Xi has banned figures like <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/peppa-pig-overcomes-censorship-to-screen-once-again-inside-communist-china/news-story/16fc325c59697223ad4c06b64bd1a843" target="_blank">Peppa Pig</a> (a children's tv character) for associating with ideas of "mobsters" and even Winnie the Pooh himself because some people on the internet claimed Xi looks like him. Yep, some real dictator stuff.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOYJkaAVs_o/Xbo77Uxe5lI/AAAAAAAAl5E/2cZVzBB-GzAj9XUzMs16NOB9sLBPLghmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOYJkaAVs_o/Xbo77Uxe5lI/AAAAAAAAl5E/2cZVzBB-GzAj9XUzMs16NOB9sLBPLghmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>In the end, the episode of the show was banned in China (no shocker there). Show creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker stand by their work, airing a fake apology to China in their next episode (lucky #300) after the story blew up on the internet. I was happy to see that the episode was still screened (illegally) on a busy Hong Kong street in Sham Shui Po district for all to see.<br /><br />Highly topical, as China has since banned music producer Zedd for simply <i>liking</i> a tweet about South Park's 300th episode. And he's not the only one, the entire NBA is up in arms about Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeting in support of protests in Hong Kong. A week later, LeBron James criticized the pro-Hong Kong protest tweet sent by Morey. The NBA called Morey’s tweets “regrettable” and Morey later apologized for offending China.<br /><br />Gone are the days when we as individual citizens can choose to be "not interested in politics". Not caring about politics is a luxury that only those with privilege can achieve, and it seems the price is a lot higher these days than it used to be. If you won't inform yourself, it'll come for you eventually.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-36573693629439331232019-10-28T21:18:00.001-04:002020-01-13T13:32:57.155-05:00CPR Playlist, Secondhand Clothes & Nuit Blanche<i>Weekly Update 2019-41: Songs to do CPR to, how to successfully acquire the best secondhand wardrobe ever and the joys of cycling during Nuit Blanche this year.</i><br /><br />Music: CPR Playlist<br />This playlist might just save your life.<br /><br />New York Presbyterian Hospital regularly updates a Spotify Playlist with songs all at 100BPM, aka the exact speed you need to perform CPR at to save someone's life. That's obviously the best use case, but a playlist filled with very different genres of music, all at the same speed, is going to end up sounding eerily like it flows together really well (yes, even going from Lady Gaga to The Doors Kris King to Gloria Gaynor). I dare you to check and see if you already have any songs favourited from the list. I had three!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/7oJx24EcRU7fIVoTdqKscK" width="300"></iframe></div><br />Accomplishment:<br />After a semester off, I taught my first class of the new semester at BrainStation this past week. Everything is kind of the same, yet also different. It's the same day and time, but one floor down. The curriculum is different (like, it needs a lot of work) but the classroom and activities feel familiar. I also have a new TA - David. Bring it on, something new and exciting with a familiar twist sounds like just the right challenge right now.<br /><br />My family ran another estate sale for a family friend this past weekend. This one was interesting because the two residents of the house were downsizing and taking most of their stuff with them. The sale was contained to the basement of the house, and visitors came in through the garage. Lots of vintage Lego (shoutout to my dad for sorting through so much of it to weed out the non-Lego pieces!) and toy cars amongst the usual dinnerware and books.<br /><br />Nuit Blanche was yet again a wondrous joy this year with Toronto Cruisers - we saw lots of cool art and, in many case we were the art. Light-up bikes and skeleton face-paint made for a spooky-looking crew roaming the streets of an unseasonably warm Fall evening. I especially enjoyed the numerous pieces around Fort York (including the shiny new Garrison Crossing Bridge) - the isolated area gave me similar vibes to my earlier years of attendance at the festival (circa 2008-09). Check it out in the inspiration section below.<br /><br />Goal:<br />I haven't really had a chance to clean my apartment since Adriana left last week, so I'm going to relish in the opportunity to reset my kitchen and bathroom. It'll be nice to start a new semester of BrainStation with a clean place since my time tends to get taken up by teaching and things like cleaning sometimes get put on hold.<br /><br />Ah yes, it's federal election season. I'm voting in the advance polls and using a special ballot since I can't get up to Richmond Hill to vote in my assigned riding. I do feel younger voices and votes are more needed in Richmond Hill than where I live now, so I never bothered to change it.<br /><br />Oktoberfest season is ALSO upon us, so I'm headed to Kitchener this weekend to visit Kaylin and drink some beer. Hopefully we will run into Uncle Hans, though I haven't been able to catch him yet.<br /><br />Random Thought: Secondhand Clothes<br />After almost four years trading anything and everything on Bunz Trading Zone, a healthy majority of my wardrobe is secondhand. I love to trade instead of buying new for several reasons that I have mentioned before, but I hadn't really thought about the ecological impact until my friend Niki mentioned it.<br /><br />Niki had been having trouble trying to find fashion brands that use green practices for sourcing their materials and manufacturing their garments. Many of the ones she'd come across were either prohibitively expensive or only produced small variations on linen sacks for clothing (or both). But then she realized that buying secondhand clothing is truly the best way to reduce clothing waste. Either through secondhand stores, garage and content sales, or through trading on Bunz and at clothing swaps. <br /><br />Niki asked me to take her thrift shopping to refresh her wardrobe and also in the hopes of finding something with a 1920s look for her Murder Mystery birthday party coming up in a few weeks. So I thought I'd verbalize my process for her and you!<br /><br />These processes definitely involve a little more effort than clicking around on Forever 21's website, but if you love the thrill of the hunt and know some basic things about what kinds of clothing flatter you, you can do it too!<br /><ol><li><a href="https://www.headcovers.com/resources/beauty/how-to-find-your-color-season/" target="_blank">Know your flattering colour palette and season</a><br />Your skin and hair colour will work better with specific colours and patterns. Identify these and start to shift your wardrobe toward these colours. An added benefit is that all your clothing will match each other as well as you!</li><li><a href="https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/right-clothes-for-body-type/" target="_blank">Know the cuts/fits for your body type</a><br />Find styles that emphasize your best features and minimize anything that distracts. Many of these styles have keywords that will make it easier to find if you're using Bunz like "a line skirt" or "boat neck". While you're at it, take your measurements every once in a while to ensure you're searching for the right size. An added benefit here is that your clothes will feel more comfortable and suited to your body.</li><li>Take a mental inventory of your closet<br />This one can be challenging - but when you are searching through racks of clothing in a thrift store or scrolling down a feed of images on Bunz, you'll want to keep in mind how you might pair your newfound items with pieces you already own. In order for something to make it into my closet, it has to work in an outfit with at least three pieces I already own.</li><li>Be patient<br />Learn to enjoy the experience of searching. After four years on Bunz and even longer spent in the aisles of every Value Village in town, I love the way clothing can express the era it was created in. Graphics, fabric patterns, cuts and even stitching techniques all speak for the garment, and I've learned a lot about fashion on my hunt. And since thrift shopping and Bunz are so low-cost, you can afford to try things out. If they don't work, just trade them away to someone who's better suited to them.</li></ol><div>There is a great strip of Bloor St. W between Lansdowne and Dufferin that includes a bunch of great thrift stores as well as a Value Village. If I can't find a specific item of clothing on Bunz, I know I can find it in one of those stores. Good luck!</div><br />Inspiration: Nuit Blanche<br />This past weekend marked the 14th annual Nuit Blanche festival in Toronto, and my second year cycling the festival with Toronto Cruisers. Last year was definitely an improvement over walking the festival, but it was cold and rainy, and I almost had my bike stolen by some drunk dude in Trinity Bellwoods while we were taking a group photo near the Dog Bowl rave. So I was ready for a glow up and perhaps even to break my record of 3:00am from last year.<br /><br />Regrettably I had woken up too early that day and needed a nap while some of the group dressed up like spooky skeletons - but they certainly drew a crowd without my contribution.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bYz0yTwIMY/XbePcw5euOI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/p11hk0NrzZon1697fFo2CmGb63KvNlTSwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bYz0yTwIMY/XbePcw5euOI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/p11hk0NrzZon1697fFo2CmGb63KvNlTSwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PvDxRpdi5RA/XbePc0UxsiI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/ioiQHrJbU0Qc_Y7guK-tg3zG4KwyC1OlgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PvDxRpdi5RA/XbePc0UxsiI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/ioiQHrJbU0Qc_Y7guK-tg3zG4KwyC1OlgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3141.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkrKUqtcy-s/XbePcytOclI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/MK1ylIEIW20xst84arc4UgvU1bZPhZurwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkrKUqtcy-s/XbePcytOclI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/MK1ylIEIW20xst84arc4UgvU1bZPhZurwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3145.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNek9usNdxY/XbePczEwQlI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/Muxtggl1fK0wUA8ddVVylT9P_TnfIyapACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNek9usNdxY/XbePczEwQlI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/Muxtggl1fK0wUA8ddVVylT9P_TnfIyapACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aoht_aJ__Ek/XbePc-HlW4I/AAAAAAAAl3Q/3QSbkvTlhqYzRjIhSIVbrNdyXL3uh60JgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aoht_aJ__Ek/XbePc-HlW4I/AAAAAAAAl3Q/3QSbkvTlhqYzRjIhSIVbrNdyXL3uh60JgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6joo4zYx9M/XbePc_BNCsI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/4cw1TXHRk68W9J0tzXOq0YFd_GxS9n_PQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6joo4zYx9M/XbePc_BNCsI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/4cw1TXHRk68W9J0tzXOq0YFd_GxS9n_PQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3152.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LMTZj7DQLbY/XbePc_eTAWI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/Fc0ApDlf3OgLi6EszKqDksQckSjs0E63gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LMTZj7DQLbY/XbePc_eTAWI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/Fc0ApDlf3OgLi6EszKqDksQckSjs0E63gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25AwG3oEMSw/XbePc6uCWgI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/038msaKSHvAsajUK7GXhL0UaahsEsMyngCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25AwG3oEMSw/XbePc6uCWgI/AAAAAAAAl3Q/038msaKSHvAsajUK7GXhL0UaahsEsMyngCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AONHw1D8Iiw/XbePc_X8U7I/AAAAAAAAl3Q/Qu5RpSeZesUAsT2N2R2y8WJr_mb2PTTBACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AONHw1D8Iiw/XbePc_X8U7I/AAAAAAAAl3Q/Qu5RpSeZesUAsT2N2R2y8WJr_mb2PTTBACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />I especially enjoyed all the art around Fort York - put on by one of my favourite collectives Art Spin. Art Spin curators Layne Hinton and Rui Pimenta transformed several sites with temporary public art projects, from Fort York and The Bentway, to a decommissioned abattoir and a garbage incineration plant. Their nine curated projects were selected and created site-specifically to respond to each space and its unique relationship to the theme of <a href="http://www.artspin.ca/nuit-blanche-toronto" target="_blank">Creation : Destruction</a>.<br /><br />Art Spin did a great job of bringing the "small-time mysteries of the night" vibe back to Nuit Blanche this year, one that I haven't felt in a long time.<br /><br />Toronto Cruisers is my weekly weird bike-fueled art project, and in instances when we came across art that was not as inspired, we became the art. I imagine we made some people's night's more exciting with our lights and spooky faces. These guerilla art projects are as fun as the sanctioned art itself.<br /><br />And as I biked home through Trinity Bellwoods, I noticed yet another rave in the Dog Bowl. Been there, done that.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-28712934885538904122019-10-22T21:56:00.001-04:002020-01-13T13:33:16.516-05:00Teebs, User Research & Thanks For Sharing<i>Weekly Update 2019-40: Beautiful streams of sound from Teebs, asking the right questions in user research and that feel when interfaces give gratitude to their users.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9G_ws1LgD8/Xa-0qlevQqI/AAAAAAAAllQ/c4KGacfhK9ot308QFlSSTIBBy62YnWwbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9G_ws1LgD8/Xa-0qlevQqI/AAAAAAAAllQ/c4KGacfhK9ot308QFlSSTIBBy62YnWwbACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3115.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tis the season for apple picking!</i></div><i><br /></i><br />Music: <a href="https://mtendereteebs.com/" target="_blank">Teebs</a><br />Another beautiful stream of sound off Flying Lotus's label Brainfeeder comes in the form of Mtendre Mandowa, aka Teebs. Multi-channel artist of music, production, painting and more, his experimental choices in instrumentation and timbre make for a journey of sound unlike so much other music that I hear lately. I imagine what makes it sound so different is his production style: sometimes referred to as "beat music", in which he records, layers, alters and organizes several sounds including harps, shakers, drum taps and even tape peeling. Check it out:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/2L2unNFaPbDxjg3NqzpqhJ" width="300"></iframe></div><br />Accomplishment:<br />Adriana Portela has come and gone. Even through the language barrier, she was such a lovely guest to have. Best moments include<br /><br /><ul><li>us speaking to each other through Google Translate on my phone (all our conversations are saved forever!)</li><li>she went out to get a beer, the liquor store was closed, and she came back with potato chips (my kind of person)</li><li>she asked me how to turn off the light in the kitchen, only to laugh and realize it was a skylight</li></ul><div>Though we didn't have the opportunity to speak to each other in the same language, I had a great time hosting her and learning her drumming style. She taught us dance moves as well as rhythms, and took us through stretching exercises which I really appreciate. I always stretch but I can never get anyone else to do it with me.</div><div><br /></div><div>See you in Brazil next year, Adriana!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1FV9Y5Pk4s/Xa5nFNjsNbI/AAAAAAAAllA/9wDkoTBOn74qhznLq3Jczglf7lAwaA-JwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1FV9Y5Pk4s/Xa5nFNjsNbI/AAAAAAAAllA/9wDkoTBOn74qhznLq3Jczglf7lAwaA-JwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3086.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br />Fall marks a fresh new year of Judaism but more importantly, hanging out with family and eating my aunt's superb honey cake. This year she put some black magic in there because it was simply the best I've tasted since my grandmother's last honey cake. I really appreciate that she and my mother carry on my grandmother's amazing recipes.<br /><br />Rosh Hashanah also means we go apple picking - a Larissa and Chloe classic.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_qDfrvU5iE/Xa5m7F84NDI/AAAAAAAAlk8/vc56XWauOIAw11SMxCfgMA-F3-5vnHwyQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_qDfrvU5iE/Xa5m7F84NDI/AAAAAAAAlk8/vc56XWauOIAw11SMxCfgMA-F3-5vnHwyQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3117.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Zc0lZF4v10/Xa5m7PYn4pI/AAAAAAAAlk8/WlZdPF2sWGsXP_HGJRM8OxbqkrdR6iEMACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Zc0lZF4v10/Xa5m7PYn4pI/AAAAAAAAlk8/WlZdPF2sWGsXP_HGJRM8OxbqkrdR6iEMACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3115.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />Goal:<br />Lots to do this week, I'll be prepping to teach my first instance of the User Interface class at BrainStation, and hosting an estate sale with my family in North York on the weekend.<br /><br />If that weren't enough, I'll be braving the night at this year's Nuit Blanche with the Toronto Cruisers crew. I am especially excited to see what's been cooking in the Bentway and Fort York area, with the brand new Garrison Crossing bridge having just opened. It may even feel more like a throwback to older years of the event when it was smaller and more soulful.<br /><br />Random Thought: User Research<br />I'm trying to tackle a big project at work, starting with a lot of research. One of the great things I learned from <a href="https://blog.chloesilver.ca/2019/07/ian-sweet-danda-da-hora-strive.html" target="_blank">UXRConf</a> earlier this year was to identify all of the unknowns about the project, and things a designer would need to know in order to build a solution. Then, apply methods for obtaining that information in order to provide the correct user experience.<br /><br />So in order to find answers, we have to start with the questions:<br /><br /><ul><li>When in their cycle do users enjoy our product the most?</li><li>Does that correlate with when they need it the most?</li><li>How often do they use it in their daily work time?</li><li>Do they recommend it to their colleagues? </li><li>Does the addition of our product cause them more work or give them more free time?</li><li>What changes would they like to see in the product to better suit their needs?</li></ul><br />I can't say whether these questions fit every type of digital product, but they're a start. Let these be a jumping off point to more specific questions about use cases, and then apply methods for discovering the answers like interviews, user tests, observation, etc. Then the real fun begins!<br /><br />Inspiration: Thanks For Sharing<br />It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Spotify. What it does happen to lack in social media experience, it makes up for in small gestures that surprise and delight me to no end. It's not a bad thing that there is minimal social media within Spotify since the point is obviously to listen to music. But when I do share a song with a friend, I absolutely love that Spotify thanks me for doing so.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMiNrSe6ij0/XaVEAmLxqzI/AAAAAAAAlfE/1KKh8cWBBN4YdXCT4Q_RleqNcdOLSMT0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-10-14%2Bat%2B11.58.12%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMiNrSe6ij0/XaVEAmLxqzI/AAAAAAAAlfE/1KKh8cWBBN4YdXCT4Q_RleqNcdOLSMT0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-10-14%2Bat%2B11.58.12%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Spotify actually recognizes that its users are performing a labour that mostly benefits the product when they share music, drawing more users into its content with each click. I personally love sharing music with others for the sake of sharing music, but I appreciate seeing this little note every time I do so. It sparks a sort of relationship between the user and the product, by communicating with the user directly (and making them feel good, too).<br /><br />Now, if only Facebook would thank me when I give it the final vestiges of my soul. It's only common courtesy!Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-71655830492374508162019-10-20T22:21:00.000-04:002020-01-13T13:32:30.263-05:00Special Weekly Update: Kyoto<i>Weekly Update 2019-39: Upbeat rhythms travel across the globe to us from Superorganism, how to lay out a room for the best job interview experience and the magic of runny eggs. Be warned: lots of Kyoto photos from my trip.</i><br /><br />Music: <a href="https://www.wearesuperorganism.com/" target="_blank">Superorganism</a><br />The benefit of having so much time on planes is that I get to watch movies - this is really one of the only times I can sit myself down to watch something for an hour and a half straight, so I finally watched Lego Movie 2. Putting aside the fact that this movie and its predecessor are both marvels of modern animation styles, I really dug the movie soundtrack. Big shoutout to The Lonely Island for producing the most entertaining and catchy end credits song ever, but I really want to draw attention to a little band called Superorganism.<br /><br />Their sound began as an online recording project, with members spread over three continents. Lead singer Orono Noguchi was on summer vacation in Japan when she met four other members touring in Japan with their previous band from the UK. She had since been living in Maine but had just graduated high school and deigned to move to Europe to live with the other six members in a work/live/24-hour recording studio.<br /><br />All eight members of the band met through mutual friends, in passing, or on the internet. They're like the synth-pop version of Brockhampton. Nowadays, the only member of the band living there is their background vocalist Soul, who lives in Australia. It's even more complicated than that, but I love their sweet, innocent style of music that matches the Lego Movie really well. Maybe it's something to do with their weird, wacky, multi-national family dynamic.<br /><br />The song in the movie is called <i>Hello Me & You.</i><br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/0Wkm45quqfx3NepJpXDvwE" width="300"></iframe></center><br />Accomplishment:<br />The last major leg of my trip has drawn to a close - my stay in Kyoto was very spiritual in a few ways. Being the spiritual capital of Japan, the city is covered in shrines to explore and enjoy the nature held within tiny pockets between the buildings. Kiyomizudera Shrine is quite famous for its views of Kyoto from up on a hill. It was lovely walking around and enjoying the ancient pagodas.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5OVYGGMw6A/Xa0Of6GeSII/AAAAAAAAlfc/e4TpT2__AiMh5bheddweK6cvbMXrsw12QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5OVYGGMw6A/Xa0Of6GeSII/AAAAAAAAlfc/e4TpT2__AiMh5bheddweK6cvbMXrsw12QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2498.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96B2HbamFXI/Xa0Of8Y6B6I/AAAAAAAAlfc/TWRf90_3jOk7uxAm41i81ErkEtnUTVlaQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96B2HbamFXI/Xa0Of8Y6B6I/AAAAAAAAlfc/TWRf90_3jOk7uxAm41i81ErkEtnUTVlaQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2509.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tln-XIU1MFA/Xa0Of-6XLCI/AAAAAAAAlfc/ZvyKszmpQPQQqOu0OMmZ4VnYq8EBP-D2ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tln-XIU1MFA/Xa0Of-6XLCI/AAAAAAAAlfc/ZvyKszmpQPQQqOu0OMmZ4VnYq8EBP-D2ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2533.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bPP1EPpUos/Xa0OfxdyIhI/AAAAAAAAlfc/lCYUQh4OhIINXwpOQ9d5zKsziTd9g93PgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bPP1EPpUos/Xa0OfxdyIhI/AAAAAAAAlfc/lCYUQh4OhIINXwpOQ9d5zKsziTd9g93PgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2522.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_i4KMHBzZQ/Xa0Of7hg5FI/AAAAAAAAlfc/vFwPJVAu7h8cUM5l8GBrkW0QEbXSNXsaQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_i4KMHBzZQ/Xa0Of7hg5FI/AAAAAAAAlfc/vFwPJVAu7h8cUM5l8GBrkW0QEbXSNXsaQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5H2JDsQBLY/Xa0Ofy_wyxI/AAAAAAAAlfc/fWPGLvonLfYEKYbp4TmYWnxdSJJgcXnAwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5H2JDsQBLY/Xa0Ofy_wyxI/AAAAAAAAlfc/fWPGLvonLfYEKYbp4TmYWnxdSJJgcXnAwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2537.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJSzIyiqA9U/Xa0Of8FoqoI/AAAAAAAAlfc/9cEUhM2bbkkqNFPMpPFhMgcB-d09U9a2QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJSzIyiqA9U/Xa0Of8FoqoI/AAAAAAAAlfc/9cEUhM2bbkkqNFPMpPFhMgcB-d09U9a2QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lCiu6UXTb8/Xa0Of6T77DI/AAAAAAAAlfc/n9iFxWqE70sM02e196I810CMSZjDKtt-QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7lCiu6UXTb8/Xa0Of6T77DI/AAAAAAAAlfc/n9iFxWqE70sM02e196I810CMSZjDKtt-QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2493.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />We stayed at a bike hostel, which was pretty handy for biking around except that I didn't realize how steep of a climb up the hill it was to get to the shrine. Mixed with being the most humid time of day made for a sweaty pair of people. More photos of stuff...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEmXamDojQQ/Xa0Qy9lCC5I/AAAAAAAAlfo/l0StCc3Vvs0Z0u98iEeELVwGaq1CxZOegCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEmXamDojQQ/Xa0Qy9lCC5I/AAAAAAAAlfo/l0StCc3Vvs0Z0u98iEeELVwGaq1CxZOegCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00-az9WfpQo/Xa0Qy-UwPJI/AAAAAAAAlfo/lTSaUMUqgIM6XmtvBFBetJjwkx6kD9zWgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00-az9WfpQo/Xa0Qy-UwPJI/AAAAAAAAlfo/lTSaUMUqgIM6XmtvBFBetJjwkx6kD9zWgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2597.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-gx_vEI3Gs/Xa0Qy8tuupI/AAAAAAAAlfo/dR3Uj9j_yVkKw2bsJ2-UOea-wkG_U6NagCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-gx_vEI3Gs/Xa0Qy8tuupI/AAAAAAAAlfo/dR3Uj9j_yVkKw2bsJ2-UOea-wkG_U6NagCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2603.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVQfTH9nWNA/Xa0Qy-2sSrI/AAAAAAAAlfo/BOcrTFRXsJQEQGjW1NrkVuNQIoKd0wRigCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVQfTH9nWNA/Xa0Qy-2sSrI/AAAAAAAAlfo/BOcrTFRXsJQEQGjW1NrkVuNQIoKd0wRigCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2605.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odrJgGSNHiU/Xa0Qy48TuzI/AAAAAAAAlfo/iPZOQivFqN8ulPNe70WeojvWjRdWzfvUwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odrJgGSNHiU/Xa0Qy48TuzI/AAAAAAAAlfo/iPZOQivFqN8ulPNe70WeojvWjRdWzfvUwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wx5N5heiJPE/Xa0QyxJkEQI/AAAAAAAAlfo/7QrGs2Hu_iQv57hB2bRDDrWI3Og-OCVIACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wx5N5heiJPE/Xa0QyxJkEQI/AAAAAAAAlfo/7QrGs2Hu_iQv57hB2bRDDrWI3Og-OCVIACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2624.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pumpkin ice cream!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmMmVMY-9nI/Xa0QywvfU8I/AAAAAAAAlfo/QeNmVAmBcssyRqin-5jZBS1WbEyj2iQjACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmMmVMY-9nI/Xa0QywvfU8I/AAAAAAAAlfo/QeNmVAmBcssyRqin-5jZBS1WbEyj2iQjACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2633.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OaCXLA9aj7Q/Xa0Qy0LO1uI/AAAAAAAAlfo/5hbwUcbY3HksNjjzX8XLHh1vzgfrdYILgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OaCXLA9aj7Q/Xa0Qy0LO1uI/AAAAAAAAlfo/5hbwUcbY3HksNjjzX8XLHh1vzgfrdYILgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2639.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40aWUkNxM8Q/Xa0Qy4zbw5I/AAAAAAAAlfo/YONxw4iuMhwRRZxZEwIVVr1tjlNmZneqACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40aWUkNxM8Q/Xa0Qy4zbw5I/AAAAAAAAlfo/YONxw4iuMhwRRZxZEwIVVr1tjlNmZneqACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2640.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Special grapes at Nishiki Market</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9tKPMRor7nk/Xa0Qy61YcUI/AAAAAAAAlfo/4xILxHrWqdI-58gbAt32WDeNpPLRpfIxACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9tKPMRor7nk/Xa0Qy61YcUI/AAAAAAAAlfo/4xILxHrWqdI-58gbAt32WDeNpPLRpfIxACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2648.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdD9YMSYyUs/Xa0Qy0zGJoI/AAAAAAAAlfo/bscRxUipwTI42iyzO5pYDIJnDqADZqq6ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdD9YMSYyUs/Xa0Qy0zGJoI/AAAAAAAAlfo/bscRxUipwTI42iyzO5pYDIJnDqADZqq6ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcOukOVEABs/Xa0QyyYSj1I/AAAAAAAAlfo/ESt1n1PHNXwBQmE5xudZRc0vg2Ecn_QuwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kcOukOVEABs/Xa0QyyYSj1I/AAAAAAAAlfo/ESt1n1PHNXwBQmE5xudZRc0vg2Ecn_QuwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2668.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I won a crane game somehow??!!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4E_qkuMogsk/Xa0Qyy2e6mI/AAAAAAAAlfo/9OyKxSNMpWUjdKQ1BRxLeOyq_Xwo9LTPACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4E_qkuMogsk/Xa0Qyy2e6mI/AAAAAAAAlfo/9OyKxSNMpWUjdKQ1BRxLeOyq_Xwo9LTPACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2670.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Capsule toys that are capsule machines o_O</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXuah19ojEU/Xa0Qy9QnvYI/AAAAAAAAlfo/xTF9EQET_3YzXrTBdED6sNflFvva9yxogCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXuah19ojEU/Xa0Qy9QnvYI/AAAAAAAAlfo/xTF9EQET_3YzXrTBdED6sNflFvva9yxogCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2690.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The many gates of Toji Shrine.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I0itLP3LNJg/Xa0QyzCQZRI/AAAAAAAAlfo/kVUjEVGSR6YUyBUDdO-X0RYWXvIzYxeiwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I0itLP3LNJg/Xa0QyzCQZRI/AAAAAAAAlfo/kVUjEVGSR6YUyBUDdO-X0RYWXvIzYxeiwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2712.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DLLHa_QwM8/Xa0Qy0dzhII/AAAAAAAAlfo/3X52O0ehwAsqnLCiDK4OrSQo5N5CjV92wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DLLHa_QwM8/Xa0Qy0dzhII/AAAAAAAAlfo/3X52O0ehwAsqnLCiDK4OrSQo5N5CjV92wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2713.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zf0XGfMoCHI/Xa0QywwGBFI/AAAAAAAAlfo/MobeMiCitsImzwUFGhTc9IE37FX0bHd5QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zf0XGfMoCHI/Xa0QywwGBFI/AAAAAAAAlfo/MobeMiCitsImzwUFGhTc9IE37FX0bHd5QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2727.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This naan was bigger than my hand.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcZwi3pu-sE/Xa0Qy6eIm4I/AAAAAAAAlfo/SNGNDq_kIr87_Ytxt0Rs6HzSPJGc6dZIgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcZwi3pu-sE/Xa0Qy6eIm4I/AAAAAAAAlfo/SNGNDq_kIr87_Ytxt0Rs6HzSPJGc6dZIgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2551.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aW9JmiTC1eU/Xa0Qy3hYxgI/AAAAAAAAlfo/wcfdTS7y_j82eBr99UhS7VBajwhrGolGACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aW9JmiTC1eU/Xa0Qy3hYxgI/AAAAAAAAlfo/wcfdTS7y_j82eBr99UhS7VBajwhrGolGACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zfbft7_bWq8/Xa0QyyZcfBI/AAAAAAAAlfo/cppkqs4m-nk_1leBRRqsnOHJ8Ch5-8VhQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zfbft7_bWq8/Xa0QyyZcfBI/AAAAAAAAlfo/cppkqs4m-nk_1leBRRqsnOHJ8Ch5-8VhQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2621.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He was alive, just sleeping!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7fwP_7t_o8/Xa0Qy-MVn-I/AAAAAAAAlfo/3IKau2wR7MUf06MEmym-XzsX7k8K1rdGwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7fwP_7t_o8/Xa0Qy-MVn-I/AAAAAAAAlfo/3IKau2wR7MUf06MEmym-XzsX7k8K1rdGwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2837.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />Arashiyama was like a dream. Ancient bamboo forest at one end, mountain inhabited by monkeys at the other, a beautiful lake dividing the two in the middle.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHQJ8Yaj0HY/Xa0Qy0AA7FI/AAAAAAAAlfo/kLsxTHMHQjcBSYJJYxrlS9YcZgxcK7HAwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHQJ8Yaj0HY/Xa0Qy0AA7FI/AAAAAAAAlfo/kLsxTHMHQjcBSYJJYxrlS9YcZgxcK7HAwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2733.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7uYC6regZl0/Xa0Qy9N2ddI/AAAAAAAAlfo/SZz2qs-w1Tk_MLEs5_cG-eEE8zcfUCJUwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7uYC6regZl0/Xa0Qy9N2ddI/AAAAAAAAlfo/SZz2qs-w1Tk_MLEs5_cG-eEE8zcfUCJUwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2752.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5oOVzaTDXmU/Xa0Qy0-MuKI/AAAAAAAAlfo/CgHEm0uu01ITDPpzUyJdJ6HhVkClol7qQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5oOVzaTDXmU/Xa0Qy0-MuKI/AAAAAAAAlfo/CgHEm0uu01ITDPpzUyJdJ6HhVkClol7qQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2742.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVQaE1gP1CM/Xa0QyyHAbPI/AAAAAAAAlfo/XGImV4CfZVw2CWqQUs25sf25zaqGDqyvgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVQaE1gP1CM/Xa0QyyHAbPI/AAAAAAAAlfo/XGImV4CfZVw2CWqQUs25sf25zaqGDqyvgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhetL7cbdac/Xa0Qy-6KxYI/AAAAAAAAlfo/SMZQ7lwopUgUr4dhwL1zIRIcWmkbTngDgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="1600" height="86" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhetL7cbdac/Xa0Qy-6KxYI/AAAAAAAAlfo/SMZQ7lwopUgUr4dhwL1zIRIcWmkbTngDgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGCzAtIrX8A/Xa0Qy0Z_sDI/AAAAAAAAlfo/0B6fMszT_ps5V1xJKQ5fBbVM82Lv4j4bACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGCzAtIrX8A/Xa0Qy0Z_sDI/AAAAAAAAlfo/0B6fMszT_ps5V1xJKQ5fBbVM82Lv4j4bACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IO3KTkaXl10/Xa0QyyF_tvI/AAAAAAAAlfo/HksnD_ufAPkD71-XJJbuI6KBTThkM5eAgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IO3KTkaXl10/Xa0QyyF_tvI/AAAAAAAAlfo/HksnD_ufAPkD71-XJJbuI6KBTThkM5eAgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2791.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm in the cage, not the monkey ;)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haZRTITFOHY/Xa0Qy14B9TI/AAAAAAAAlfo/kyLLQ63MXK48Vv9sK1LGBWceH-bMJSDrgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haZRTITFOHY/Xa0Qy14B9TI/AAAAAAAAlfo/kyLLQ63MXK48Vv9sK1LGBWceH-bMJSDrgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2806.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feeding time!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ToH-RIskQqg/Xa0QyzQX3fI/AAAAAAAAlfo/Z6njO1e8m0EvOQyV2DxCJTG1KujXprLOQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ToH-RIskQqg/Xa0QyzQX3fI/AAAAAAAAlfo/Z6njO1e8m0EvOQyV2DxCJTG1KujXprLOQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The alpha monkey gets the stump where a large portion of the food is dumped.</div><br />We visited the Botanical Gardens, which I think no one under the age of 70 ever visits, but we made friends with the ticket taker and he made sure we knew where all the cool spots on the map of the Gardens were.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRqwmiqnep4/Xa0RtY2oNHI/AAAAAAAAlf4/XyMC2WM9-Dkmry3lYugZudh09u5qzjKCgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRqwmiqnep4/Xa0RtY2oNHI/AAAAAAAAlf4/XyMC2WM9-Dkmry3lYugZudh09u5qzjKCgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2860.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgO8nUkrIH8/Xa0RtfJs6OI/AAAAAAAAlf4/eH8HKRuAXAUqlmWK21aVnt5RvuWLWui3wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgO8nUkrIH8/Xa0RtfJs6OI/AAAAAAAAlf4/eH8HKRuAXAUqlmWK21aVnt5RvuWLWui3wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2869.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6AZ1o5yKV4/Xa0RtVt06PI/AAAAAAAAlf4/nATAgJD1MqMxPKPbAbExDeMM2yMIYxcYwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6AZ1o5yKV4/Xa0RtVt06PI/AAAAAAAAlf4/nATAgJD1MqMxPKPbAbExDeMM2yMIYxcYwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2874.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xTAdSZEFd4/Xa0Rtfr5kvI/AAAAAAAAlf4/W9s6o7-JnzwXsltatFC-9BJ48FPPOgcGwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xTAdSZEFd4/Xa0Rtfr5kvI/AAAAAAAAlf4/W9s6o7-JnzwXsltatFC-9BJ48FPPOgcGwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2873.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuLYCMmAK2k/Xa0RtVS_-_I/AAAAAAAAlf4/WHoDCxefj_QzL_a7OUT1atw0eq634qfcQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuLYCMmAK2k/Xa0RtVS_-_I/AAAAAAAAlf4/WHoDCxefj_QzL_a7OUT1atw0eq634qfcQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2872.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4LixWEhSDI/Xa0RtZvsIxI/AAAAAAAAlf4/IK0rHalHdfQ616s0a9-BMryyWPQ2oYqewCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4LixWEhSDI/Xa0RtZvsIxI/AAAAAAAAlf4/IK0rHalHdfQ616s0a9-BMryyWPQ2oYqewCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2880.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kihEOyalrvQ/Xa0RtUH2_6I/AAAAAAAAlf4/fd6BKaKL7pIwwaWzzN_00xdmN6EPnMjfACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kihEOyalrvQ/Xa0RtUH2_6I/AAAAAAAAlf4/fd6BKaKL7pIwwaWzzN_00xdmN6EPnMjfACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2883.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsF8cDw1bhs/Xa0RtRDszgI/AAAAAAAAlf4/OFMpTq6P2mkVtd6uosFRYUYLEVJNKfr6wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GsF8cDw1bhs/Xa0RtRDszgI/AAAAAAAAlf4/OFMpTq6P2mkVtd6uosFRYUYLEVJNKfr6wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2890.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSyAxouuwDc/Xa0RtbJl9sI/AAAAAAAAlf4/cnLGTn7WeRsz__9XFEFuM3iIoDMDVnUgQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSyAxouuwDc/Xa0RtbJl9sI/AAAAAAAAlf4/cnLGTn7WeRsz__9XFEFuM3iIoDMDVnUgQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2893.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oKJdjS7pkQ/Xa0RtVnRf0I/AAAAAAAAlf4/NHYN5yaIoyk1d-8Zu3ykIvdR-Isq_DAKACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oKJdjS7pkQ/Xa0RtVnRf0I/AAAAAAAAlf4/NHYN5yaIoyk1d-8Zu3ykIvdR-Isq_DAKACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2918.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ThJHdkgnQo/Xa0RtSnmfRI/AAAAAAAAlf4/t_eCT74swsoJkVVSWZcuNWBL6U5XYX3fACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ThJHdkgnQo/Xa0RtSnmfRI/AAAAAAAAlf4/t_eCT74swsoJkVVSWZcuNWBL6U5XYX3fACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2919.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha-Vx86aNyw/Xa0Rta-p17I/AAAAAAAAlf4/qfOlHO3b9-4lb4D78Br1bUOq3PioPG00gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha-Vx86aNyw/Xa0Rta-p17I/AAAAAAAAlf4/qfOlHO3b9-4lb4D78Br1bUOq3PioPG00gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2920.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />One of my favourite things of the trip was walking through Yokai Street where all the stores have statues themed like their stores. There was a mattress monster garding the mattress store, a yarn monster for the yarn store, and so on.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qerDDxTLwEg/Xa0R_YaQ51I/AAAAAAAAlgA/a0o22FPGY3YECpwRx5UvYkjApd-0w7TSgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qerDDxTLwEg/Xa0R_YaQ51I/AAAAAAAAlgA/a0o22FPGY3YECpwRx5UvYkjApd-0w7TSgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2924.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCc9BNJLpgE/Xa0R_U-dX1I/AAAAAAAAlgA/MXN3wrNgMogtUK3mCX08_segPGcoFIfowCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCc9BNJLpgE/Xa0R_U-dX1I/AAAAAAAAlgA/MXN3wrNgMogtUK3mCX08_segPGcoFIfowCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2926.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wcCztz-Yr18/Xa0R_dfZzVI/AAAAAAAAlgA/z2K37oZ2DfIsVpaIrvw85ceih8JQfyRagCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wcCztz-Yr18/Xa0R_dfZzVI/AAAAAAAAlgA/z2K37oZ2DfIsVpaIrvw85ceih8JQfyRagCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2927.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zwbgbo52bg4/Xa0R_ft1EGI/AAAAAAAAlgA/FIOQglWjEWALcJyNSpApkzQYbIusBOlZQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zwbgbo52bg4/Xa0R_ft1EGI/AAAAAAAAlgA/FIOQglWjEWALcJyNSpApkzQYbIusBOlZQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2928.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQ0J996ekXw/Xa0R_X88DcI/AAAAAAAAlgA/8YCP3qfdrfYVKPkFM31tJGGoSnF-cxvIgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FQ0J996ekXw/Xa0R_X88DcI/AAAAAAAAlgA/8YCP3qfdrfYVKPkFM31tJGGoSnF-cxvIgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2929.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XW7QRrJLdPE/Xa0R_fOsKPI/AAAAAAAAlgA/W2plj9xlLfQISmxpqywHN4WV2hu9dyWsQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XW7QRrJLdPE/Xa0R_fOsKPI/AAAAAAAAlgA/W2plj9xlLfQISmxpqywHN4WV2hu9dyWsQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2930.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEa99EQtUfI/Xa0R_VGhcTI/AAAAAAAAlgA/4UYUcv4Kjrc9sjLY4cwh8QW-RECI4Ie4QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEa99EQtUfI/Xa0R_VGhcTI/AAAAAAAAlgA/4UYUcv4Kjrc9sjLY4cwh8QW-RECI4Ie4QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2932.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLlZs-l0Kio/Xa0R_SyUc8I/AAAAAAAAlgA/yfSUSRgtGxwfZfrFqyFvOXkQUp4WGfmiACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLlZs-l0Kio/Xa0R_SyUc8I/AAAAAAAAlgA/yfSUSRgtGxwfZfrFqyFvOXkQUp4WGfmiACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2933.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRtms8K61hY/Xa0R_d4UdXI/AAAAAAAAlgA/1V9x6JA8kJczD8ceYpqIcQzuSNh-jNMbwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRtms8K61hY/Xa0R_d4UdXI/AAAAAAAAlgA/1V9x6JA8kJczD8ceYpqIcQzuSNh-jNMbwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2934.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ne71c_YgQd0/Xa0R_fGywlI/AAAAAAAAlgA/xRWvFFs_OrgXAEFs9auy0_glboBZvI6jgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ne71c_YgQd0/Xa0R_fGywlI/AAAAAAAAlgA/xRWvFFs_OrgXAEFs9auy0_glboBZvI6jgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2943.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was mall food court food. Yummmm.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0u-KpscPlQ/Xa0R_fGcJkI/AAAAAAAAlgA/J1ysLtTmBZYjXWACbc5uhliq7u2L6_QsgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0u-KpscPlQ/Xa0R_fGcJkI/AAAAAAAAlgA/J1ysLtTmBZYjXWACbc5uhliq7u2L6_QsgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2944.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The perfect capsule toy for my mother.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnGWdluwUXw/Xa0R_fwvZmI/AAAAAAAAlgA/Mrj1Kjz9GY0pDO6lwKWz-q_gldhoeoP-ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnGWdluwUXw/Xa0R_fwvZmI/AAAAAAAAlgA/Mrj1Kjz9GY0pDO6lwKWz-q_gldhoeoP-ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2945.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mochi donut from Mister Donut. Soooo good.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb2QhUdsKkc/Xa0R_V_XJmI/AAAAAAAAlgA/Klbwt6TTZgo_i4hdDMtVmZI9JXF1TnNZwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb2QhUdsKkc/Xa0R_V_XJmI/AAAAAAAAlgA/Klbwt6TTZgo_i4hdDMtVmZI9JXF1TnNZwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2974.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Caramel waffle, freshly made.</div><br />After only three short days, I said my goodbyes to Kyoto (and Sasha) and took a train to Osaka for my final night in Japan. I had a reservation in a capsule hotel - which fit the bill perfectly since I needed one last sleep without amenities before an early flight home. But I was still surprised; for $30CAD the stay included use of a hot spa and sauna, which was lovely after carrying my backpack all over the place.<br /><br />I got to do a lot of last minute shopping for presents, bought a cute pair of shoes at Uniqlo, and rode the ferris wheel at Don Quijote. Why not, it was raining and I thought I would get a nice view of the city at night. I feel like I saw so little of Osaka on my trip.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hD2eTyW9JfE/Xa0SZ_Rk-LI/AAAAAAAAlgI/kPOeIR7rnGcho5YPrRqKwR3cZ2Sai9rpQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hD2eTyW9JfE/Xa0SZ_Rk-LI/AAAAAAAAlgI/kPOeIR7rnGcho5YPrRqKwR3cZ2Sai9rpQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2975.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>My lunch to eat on the train - only $3 Canadian for all this!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vsCnbTQMHU0/Xa0SZ-iJMnI/AAAAAAAAlgI/Ii3SncHxVeQzdF44bQSv5zJ7q6hEGh9NwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vsCnbTQMHU0/Xa0SZ-iJMnI/AAAAAAAAlgI/Ii3SncHxVeQzdF44bQSv5zJ7q6hEGh9NwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2979.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The slot machines in the capsule hotel.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaH6PKd_BOE/Xa0SZ1VWZvI/AAAAAAAAlgI/lPrCVoyPioE7AZsVgXNZKxk-w52otA2XACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaH6PKd_BOE/Xa0SZ1VWZvI/AAAAAAAAlgI/lPrCVoyPioE7AZsVgXNZKxk-w52otA2XACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2980.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Comic book room.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVoIlflIuts/Xa0SZ320O-I/AAAAAAAAlgI/EOGhITvug5U3kuHTA4HinNqMv7XFrAamgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVoIlflIuts/Xa0SZ320O-I/AAAAAAAAlgI/EOGhITvug5U3kuHTA4HinNqMv7XFrAamgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2981.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">None of these were in English.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPjisSzTQlg/Xa0SZ9p1dpI/AAAAAAAAlgI/SyX96SEwPhUoaePkmFuynCQEDHFaizw8ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPjisSzTQlg/Xa0SZ9p1dpI/AAAAAAAAlgI/SyX96SEwPhUoaePkmFuynCQEDHFaizw8ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kimono rental - there were rubber geisha wigs so I felt this was sort of inappropriate?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u31GOoEwyhE/Xa0SZ-H93yI/AAAAAAAAlgI/O3lMmOz6IuIO2XreBNXUHCOnl0FIwRLfwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u31GOoEwyhE/Xa0SZ-H93yI/AAAAAAAAlgI/O3lMmOz6IuIO2XreBNXUHCOnl0FIwRLfwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2983.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2-_JdVT80U/Xa0SZymg7II/AAAAAAAAlgI/Cnax36eTOEoaQOpXWmrwbf1vpngZPmcmwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2-_JdVT80U/Xa0SZymg7II/AAAAAAAAlgI/Cnax36eTOEoaQOpXWmrwbf1vpngZPmcmwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uI5hyxdcgxw/Xa0SZ6ZihZI/AAAAAAAAlgI/UVBCu-jtokkVMSgoh337v_ep0u_X3hMogCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uI5hyxdcgxw/Xa0SZ6ZihZI/AAAAAAAAlgI/UVBCu-jtokkVMSgoh337v_ep0u_X3hMogCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2999.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNJNb-cLn34/Xa0SZ2_9zCI/AAAAAAAAlgI/qZDoh3HnNFQusrZpbniHuwi78fvKEtnpQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNJNb-cLn34/Xa0SZ2_9zCI/AAAAAAAAlgI/qZDoh3HnNFQusrZpbniHuwi78fvKEtnpQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qw6CrBO8l4/Xa0SZybxgMI/AAAAAAAAlgI/6mh4bWnOtZcTtmuVW-bUhRDaddqQUR7PQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qw6CrBO8l4/Xa0SZybxgMI/AAAAAAAAlgI/6mh4bWnOtZcTtmuVW-bUhRDaddqQUR7PQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0nIzUQyHIE/Xa0SZ-AUeRI/AAAAAAAAlgI/L8b6qoZqOeQ4Rz2urRuSlhNB57GETyF2ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0nIzUQyHIE/Xa0SZ-AUeRI/AAAAAAAAlgI/L8b6qoZqOeQ4Rz2urRuSlhNB57GETyF2ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boba hojicha and caramel sundae</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF3pBLnIAtg/Xa0SZ4JPDqI/AAAAAAAAlgI/Lh8alxJq3CMhl8b-Y6U_2WAapZJ-zIvPwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF3pBLnIAtg/Xa0SZ4JPDqI/AAAAAAAAlgI/Lh8alxJq3CMhl8b-Y6U_2WAapZJ-zIvPwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More kushikatsu!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SS8k8JQaSUI/Xa0SZ7zrVcI/AAAAAAAAlgI/8D7zoDE95BQORsiLlWcA4IJtdXKZCX9-ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SS8k8JQaSUI/Xa0SZ7zrVcI/AAAAAAAAlgI/8D7zoDE95BQORsiLlWcA4IJtdXKZCX9-ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the ferris wheel of Don Quijote.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oi4d1qy7ZIs/Xa0SZ6_mdeI/AAAAAAAAlgI/m-8ms36zmHE1AGDeO6Yv3AOb70nCZTkXQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oi4d1qy7ZIs/Xa0SZ6_mdeI/AAAAAAAAlgI/m-8ms36zmHE1AGDeO6Yv3AOb70nCZTkXQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from the top!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tIIuTTUI6w/Xa0SZ46GDjI/AAAAAAAAlgI/gjQUYCtDGG8PRCpw_jZrgM7lcqcRs6togCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tIIuTTUI6w/Xa0SZ46GDjI/AAAAAAAAlgI/gjQUYCtDGG8PRCpw_jZrgM7lcqcRs6togCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lf6jUYXOXrc/Xa0SZ60za9I/AAAAAAAAlgI/ltwqLb6BLTkh8XkPw4iP8ztOJfemeyhDQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lf6jUYXOXrc/Xa0SZ60za9I/AAAAAAAAlgI/ltwqLb6BLTkh8XkPw4iP8ztOJfemeyhDQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQpfjZss-LE/Xa0SZ_GCX9I/AAAAAAAAlgI/iouloiIc8RI6c89syYkIWFJt7kSQDkktgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQpfjZss-LE/Xa0SZ_GCX9I/AAAAAAAAlgI/iouloiIc8RI6c89syYkIWFJt7kSQDkktgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3049.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bathroom of the capsule hotel - they lend you cool pajamas.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BlapAWZeqFs/Xa0SZ3ZqG9I/AAAAAAAAlgI/EKr9dgbfPy0mR5fc8yKWQ_sWbXNJEUn5wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BlapAWZeqFs/Xa0SZ3ZqG9I/AAAAAAAAlgI/EKr9dgbfPy0mR5fc8yKWQ_sWbXNJEUn5wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3050.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In my capsule.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_RkQX_SiKQ/Xa0SZ_kvcUI/AAAAAAAAlgI/9GDneSqkwIQKfgkYJpQeA6Ud5Ap_oyDagCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_RkQX_SiKQ/Xa0SZ_kvcUI/AAAAAAAAlgI/9GDneSqkwIQKfgkYJpQeA6Ud5Ap_oyDagCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LwS5VH3UyQ/Xa0SZ-6ougI/AAAAAAAAlgI/WGJrRimKNJ4ObLW98yWjPL8nNPe72eLXgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LwS5VH3UyQ/Xa0SZ-6ougI/AAAAAAAAlgI/WGJrRimKNJ4ObLW98yWjPL8nNPe72eLXgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />When I got back, my dad helped me put up a shelf in my room. He did a great job and it looks awesome.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ep6GGOvy_Yg/Xa0Vl8cMXZI/AAAAAAAAljk/EDqH9N-AOoQoMZVxVTtneXiZf1tejjsugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ep6GGOvy_Yg/Xa0Vl8cMXZI/AAAAAAAAljk/EDqH9N-AOoQoMZVxVTtneXiZf1tejjsugCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBAH1rF1KtU/Xa0VyXbYNOI/AAAAAAAAljw/hr4eqntf3csobOZT6X2j1f-PecJVxV4UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/59089685630__9C543E40-EDEF-47E4-9FD5-B75371F04899%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBAH1rF1KtU/Xa0VyXbYNOI/AAAAAAAAljw/hr4eqntf3csobOZT6X2j1f-PecJVxV4UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/59089685630__9C543E40-EDEF-47E4-9FD5-B75371F04899%2B2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also put together a shelf I had brought home from work in pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I saved it from the trash and gave it a new purpose as a vertica garden :)</div><br />Goal:<br />I'm back in town from Japan, and immediately have a guest staying with me for the next eleven days. Adriana Portela of Banda Dida fame is coming to stay with me while she teaches drumming workshops with TDot Batu. We also have an all-female show to play with her - which may be a bit challenging due to my back being really messed up from using the travel backpack and the jet lag.<br /><br />I want to try planting one of my monsteras in soil, especially since it's growing roots way out of its jar. I was worried I'd have to break the jar to get the roots out, but it looks like I have just enough time to squish it out of the jar and into a pot with soil! Wish me luck.<br /><br />Random Thought: Seats at the Table<br />I have been sitting in a lot of interviews at work to hire our upcoming design manager as well as a new product manager. It's made me think a lot about the structure of the room for these meetings and how that plays into the experience (for both interviewer and interviewee). Of course we know the classic situation is to sit directly across from the candidate, which creates a physical divide of the table between the two parties.<br /><br />I don't really have an adversarial bone in my body, not even a fake one for interviews (call me the Good Cop Extraordinaire), so I've been experimenting with different alternatives to sitting directly across from the candidate. Especially since our interviews usually involve at least one of my colleagues as well as myself and the candidate, this provides a lot of choice for how things could play out.<br /><br />I find that sitting at a right angle (at two sides of the same corner) seems to give good results for the conversation to feel a bit more natural and cuts the pressure a bit. But my coworker made me realize - the best layout always involves a circular table. This is the least adversarial style of table, which is probably why it feels the most comfortable. No corners, only one smooth edge. Technically, everyone is sitting at the same side of this table, no matter where they sit. You'd have to work hard to be adversarial...perhaps by sitting on top of the table?<br /><br />It's too bad there aren't more circular tables in the world.<br /><br />Inspiration: Runny Eggs<br />Since I came back from my trip, I've been a bit obsessed with runny eggs. Specifically putting them on top of food as a garnish adds so much rich flavour, as well as their own delicious sauce and texture of the yolk and white. I have never liked runny eggs on their own, but as a topper they're insanely delicious.<br /><br />Sometimes it can be difficult to find a sustainable source of protein, or even just to eat less meat, so an egg topper feels really useful as a topper for lots of different types of food.<br /><br />I didn't get a chance to try the Japanese fast food chain Yoshinoya, but was delighted to see they were the meal on the flight back home! Their signature beef bowls come with an egg sauce that appears to be literally creamed egg yolk, and made the beef and rice taste extra rich and delicious.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkxAml_blgM/Xa0SZ97DFwI/AAAAAAAAlgI/SKwvMhh5dKkWbY7SbNoDAW87Gv8tps11QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkxAml_blgM/Xa0SZ97DFwI/AAAAAAAAlgI/SKwvMhh5dKkWbY7SbNoDAW87Gv8tps11QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Plus, I guess they're pretty aesthetically pleasing. Just ask Gudetama:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aiJ-M2rWL8A/Xa0T_6VZ_5I/AAAAAAAAlgg/8VWcA17NUyk_xknRekeYsSab2y-nTMEVgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_3047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aiJ-M2rWL8A/Xa0T_6VZ_5I/AAAAAAAAlgg/8VWcA17NUyk_xknRekeYsSab2y-nTMEVgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_3047.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really wanted to buy something Gudetama related.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the only thing I considered and I still didn't buy it. No more useless stuff ;)</div><br />Studio Ghibli always showcases runny eggs so deliciously:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/xULW8y1BKfdA1iaF0I/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="540" height="172" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/xULW8y1BKfdA1iaF0I/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://giphygifs.s3.amazonaws.com/media/KGVHuQQDZUVgc/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="480" height="172" src="https://giphygifs.s3.amazonaws.com/media/KGVHuQQDZUVgc/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/gCN8BiK82UK1G/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="480" height="160" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/gCN8BiK82UK1G/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />Eggs are already a kitchen staple in North America, but I appreciate the more versatile ways they're used in Japanese cooking that just didn't really translate over to this side of the world.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702606877610874011.post-69332055639504132162019-10-14T20:05:00.001-04:002020-01-13T13:32:16.850-05:00Special Weekly Update: Osaka & Tokyo<i>Weekly Update 2019-38: Mexico-born producer Macross 82-99 fuels the soundtrack for the first of my two weeks in Japan as I examine the little details and pass the time on trains listening to the Lore podcast. Get ready for a ton of Japan trip photos.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkjjcMRTkFY/XaUNKsNlz9I/AAAAAAAAle4/OGQUQErKqrsK6OhjbMo5zvZXj7D4cVu5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkjjcMRTkFY/XaUNKsNlz9I/AAAAAAAAle4/OGQUQErKqrsK6OhjbMo5zvZXj7D4cVu5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2162.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>At Teamlab Borderless. My dream: the room was completely empty!</i></div><i><br /></i>Music: Macross 82-99<br />To follow a theme, I felt I needed a soundtrack for exploring Japan. Upon opening Spotify I realized I already had one (circa April 2018) with lots of bubblegum city pop and future disco to propel me through the cities of Japan on every kind of transportation imaginable. May I present one of my original favourite future disco artists: Macross 82-99. The Mexico City-born producer has been pumping out Japanese club jams with samples from Sailor Moon and other anime classics. He has been called one of the first Future Funk artists, characterized by his love of 80s "city pop" vibes.<br /><br />Basically, it's all my favourite parts of disco, synth, anime and high-energy happiness in the form of music. This is an instant mood spike as soon as you hit play.<br /><br /><center><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/5C8KyBfvAz9PSaOd30eIow" width="300"></iframe></center><br /><br />Accomplishment:<br />I have arrived in Japan! After 20 hours of air travel, I was so happy to stand on real ground again. I arrived in Osaka around 6:30pm as the sun was setting. The neon lights of Dotonbori and downtown lit up the nighttime streets with a warm, friendly glow as we ate our way through Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki and Kushikatsu (my new favourite).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rLgSxEjkyY/XaUD6WA6uzI/AAAAAAAAldc/ZOGokBsKX0kC7yiwH9FqfM8diESKWHDiQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rLgSxEjkyY/XaUD6WA6uzI/AAAAAAAAldc/ZOGokBsKX0kC7yiwH9FqfM8diESKWHDiQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8iIa-fG42M/XaUD6evlPDI/AAAAAAAAldc/CrZwzQDkhAkZv-JkV27JXk8Ibam5BscOwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v8iIa-fG42M/XaUD6evlPDI/AAAAAAAAldc/CrZwzQDkhAkZv-JkV27JXk8Ibam5BscOwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4H9ehoKc7s/XaUD6e0MjBI/AAAAAAAAldc/_ZoXgkphKTg8nNqmuLkPUi-w88KLxosYgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4H9ehoKc7s/XaUD6e0MjBI/AAAAAAAAldc/_ZoXgkphKTg8nNqmuLkPUi-w88KLxosYgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0GtpXs1Zsg/XaUD6XtPMuI/AAAAAAAAldc/PCAoO3KfLe4pVlp3qkBBbL-ZO-b5OvSyACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0GtpXs1Zsg/XaUD6XtPMuI/AAAAAAAAldc/PCAoO3KfLe4pVlp3qkBBbL-ZO-b5OvSyACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4gxiOHuAl4/XaUD6aPR-ZI/AAAAAAAAldc/jho-Tjcpxjo975Z6NMy0-wezYTHUw-3NQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4gxiOHuAl4/XaUD6aPR-ZI/AAAAAAAAldc/jho-Tjcpxjo975Z6NMy0-wezYTHUw-3NQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qIb60rq_nE/XaUD6W8RcaI/AAAAAAAAldc/Lve8mCquoC08TbvHH_3wN4jf41d8Fmk5wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qIb60rq_nE/XaUD6W8RcaI/AAAAAAAAldc/Lve8mCquoC08TbvHH_3wN4jf41d8Fmk5wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6XAnkYq5hM/XaUD6d0XiLI/AAAAAAAAldc/Ai_rJhKszJsFTgURlWXN7NOr1nJtykJOQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6XAnkYq5hM/XaUD6d0XiLI/AAAAAAAAldc/Ai_rJhKszJsFTgURlWXN7NOr1nJtykJOQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1364.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sakura mochi in Kuromon Market</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGMTB06m1ec/XaUD6du01xI/AAAAAAAAldc/AxppRc3VlygK7kH4O5qtysF7rWvzSzbdACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGMTB06m1ec/XaUD6du01xI/AAAAAAAAldc/AxppRc3VlygK7kH4O5qtysF7rWvzSzbdACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1403.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6kCvybFza8/XaUD6UT3I2I/AAAAAAAAldc/bk5JWB3WsTA2Ppt_hqHqmUYdfo6BQtdCACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6kCvybFza8/XaUD6UT3I2I/AAAAAAAAldc/bk5JWB3WsTA2Ppt_hqHqmUYdfo6BQtdCACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1419.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJuLWFejAFo/XaUD6S3pWQI/AAAAAAAAldc/VyjR-WiudeQgeJ79VuH5Pq9zAqghP1XkACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJuLWFejAFo/XaUD6S3pWQI/AAAAAAAAldc/VyjR-WiudeQgeJ79VuH5Pq9zAqghP1XkACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1431.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Kushikatsu!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyMaxsaU4FQ/XaUD6f0o5iI/AAAAAAAAldc/v-Bn06lcH3gE1Pu4PHkQYcuChDNPIqpFQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DyMaxsaU4FQ/XaUD6f0o5iI/AAAAAAAAldc/v-Bn06lcH3gE1Pu4PHkQYcuChDNPIqpFQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1474.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjxmPDESGaU/XaUD6YSeVSI/AAAAAAAAldc/las2hisigA48u4qzhN2IW7VIun-jHXHSwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjxmPDESGaU/XaUD6YSeVSI/AAAAAAAAldc/las2hisigA48u4qzhN2IW7VIun-jHXHSwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSj6Hz2FFiE/XaUD6SCPzUI/AAAAAAAAldc/VfAjQ4Lk0p8H0GynDgm_kCz7RsEr7EJ5wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSj6Hz2FFiE/XaUD6SCPzUI/AAAAAAAAldc/VfAjQ4Lk0p8H0GynDgm_kCz7RsEr7EJ5wCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Gyoza...so good.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6x067lIHRNA/XaUD6RmJ1xI/AAAAAAAAldc/thYrOEYI_H8vnQ75YNXokUV9axUJiWooACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6x067lIHRNA/XaUD6RmJ1xI/AAAAAAAAldc/thYrOEYI_H8vnQ75YNXokUV9axUJiWooACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1514.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TSxc6f2cXrA/XaUD6eM0elI/AAAAAAAAldc/4mOOf22Lbx8uCNfHEj1In85O0xlfs4ztgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TSxc6f2cXrA/XaUD6eM0elI/AAAAAAAAldc/4mOOf22Lbx8uCNfHEj1In85O0xlfs4ztgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1520.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDdvGTJxBrg/XaUD6f0q88I/AAAAAAAAldc/w8B1hs9_Lqk56t72I5LbG7eZuCtUTQ-JwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDdvGTJxBrg/XaUD6f0q88I/AAAAAAAAldc/w8B1hs9_Lqk56t72I5LbG7eZuCtUTQ-JwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1523.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />We spent two nights in Osaka (mostly just savouring the delicious food). Our time in Osaka was shorter than I anticipated - after a day wandering through markets and shopping, we had to leave early the next morning to make our way to Mt. Fuji. I'm glad I have one more half-day in Osaka before I leave to go home at the end of my trip.<br /><br />We had a one-night stay at an onsen at the base of Mt. Fuji, which was lovely. It was a really nice old-school way to relax and take a nice, hot bath with a view of the mountain (if it wasn't so cloudy).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JfV6fq8D_H0/XaUE3W9tLNI/AAAAAAAAlds/vnMpYqI7mrUgeWNOFfI6kOHt35kr2J0tgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JfV6fq8D_H0/XaUE3W9tLNI/AAAAAAAAlds/vnMpYqI7mrUgeWNOFfI6kOHt35kr2J0tgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1572.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bB8Kny5Ixd4/XaUE3exqAkI/AAAAAAAAlds/336802qjKKMm2nL-ABsLeFKteTLVFoPrgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bB8Kny5Ixd4/XaUE3exqAkI/AAAAAAAAlds/336802qjKKMm2nL-ABsLeFKteTLVFoPrgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1576.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaJESXtIBtA/XaUE3cDFwPI/AAAAAAAAlds/ZfXlox-YXm4Y49aShdT36n39eX11F41XACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaJESXtIBtA/XaUE3cDFwPI/AAAAAAAAlds/ZfXlox-YXm4Y49aShdT36n39eX11F41XACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7u5M0jg_UuY/XaUE3Su8P0I/AAAAAAAAlds/GQdnUfLXjekDX5oftfR-gRaMxyiHd8nxwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7u5M0jg_UuY/XaUE3Su8P0I/AAAAAAAAlds/GQdnUfLXjekDX5oftfR-gRaMxyiHd8nxwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YIjnwT3W44/XaUE3XQReHI/AAAAAAAAlds/7DjCXKBtmvocGLar9ecesJBYc2XYCPOWQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YIjnwT3W44/XaUE3XQReHI/AAAAAAAAlds/7DjCXKBtmvocGLar9ecesJBYc2XYCPOWQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1626.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Huge dinner! This was slightly overwhelming.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0x6Ww96omp0/XaUE3atxpOI/AAAAAAAAlds/NvARVOCle1ATuRvuYXznadQKB6jgxbQfACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="1600" height="124" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0x6Ww96omp0/XaUE3atxpOI/AAAAAAAAlds/NvARVOCle1ATuRvuYXznadQKB6jgxbQfACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e55Zvn0BxB4/XaUE3SCXhrI/AAAAAAAAlds/EXX1VkqZFy4_RLKAdQurY5lND8Bf4kRFQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e55Zvn0BxB4/XaUE3SCXhrI/AAAAAAAAlds/EXX1VkqZFy4_RLKAdQurY5lND8Bf4kRFQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Time for a hot bath to soothe my full tummy.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhvIDxUXOgI/XaUE3X3vMqI/AAAAAAAAlds/G57j05tWvMsLCbKtE5C1cKSTeC4m1Oq8gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhvIDxUXOgI/XaUE3X3vMqI/AAAAAAAAlds/G57j05tWvMsLCbKtE5C1cKSTeC4m1Oq8gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>You can see the top of Mt. Fuji...if it isn't cloudy. Which it always is.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlmTe3WWTyE/XaUE3WghRWI/AAAAAAAAlds/PF3rWIrcrPcl3tsvh7tUtrE1WpKz9rfMgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlmTe3WWTyE/XaUE3WghRWI/AAAAAAAAlds/PF3rWIrcrPcl3tsvh7tUtrE1WpKz9rfMgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Breakfast was also huge.</i></div><br />One of the must-sees of all the tourist traps around the mountain is the Music Forest Museum. An enchanting European-style castle sits nestled by the side of lake Kawaguchiko, complete with a centuries-old collection of music boxes, auto-playing instruments, princess dresses, a rose garden, and so much more. I loved how everything was Halloween themed for this time of year.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_S-9trHZ-t0/XaUGb98xi5I/AAAAAAAAleA/lmMZX4HYC8s-TCzRcT1w4iTaNdXyDdfGgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_S-9trHZ-t0/XaUGb98xi5I/AAAAAAAAleA/lmMZX4HYC8s-TCzRcT1w4iTaNdXyDdfGgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1706.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vm6HbllAJ_4/XaUGb_anbRI/AAAAAAAAleA/zix10iidXVwdoie_rCVpKbQse8uO5pv2QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vm6HbllAJ_4/XaUGb_anbRI/AAAAAAAAleA/zix10iidXVwdoie_rCVpKbQse8uO5pv2QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1707.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcOC7A758Xw/XaUGb8OJhFI/AAAAAAAAleA/1KyERbA-S88wzFwjvjev6RqSm99AqmaKQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcOC7A758Xw/XaUGb8OJhFI/AAAAAAAAleA/1KyERbA-S88wzFwjvjev6RqSm99AqmaKQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGrvnh5oSnI/XaUGb3CHymI/AAAAAAAAleA/AtZpmeP4AcoNGKfywEbdj-DfG7-HgmVywCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGrvnh5oSnI/XaUGb3CHymI/AAAAAAAAleA/AtZpmeP4AcoNGKfywEbdj-DfG7-HgmVywCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1716.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwfZen5rYUs/XaUGb8SzFuI/AAAAAAAAleA/11gfObBtUE8Lf61YDfcp_W3pLzhAVQkFACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwfZen5rYUs/XaUGb8SzFuI/AAAAAAAAleA/11gfObBtUE8Lf61YDfcp_W3pLzhAVQkFACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1717.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nncTlos1Kgk/XaUGb_VEGFI/AAAAAAAAleA/XGIzJ6g4CRg6uh7x-UTg9s0pf0zCOoTqgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nncTlos1Kgk/XaUGb_VEGFI/AAAAAAAAleA/XGIzJ6g4CRg6uh7x-UTg9s0pf0zCOoTqgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1721.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1th5z_IUxM/XaUGb6zFf0I/AAAAAAAAleA/XBcTlszTWpwYAmQz6iOR6cVr9PnNPVaAQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1th5z_IUxM/XaUGb6zFf0I/AAAAAAAAleA/XBcTlszTWpwYAmQz6iOR6cVr9PnNPVaAQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The horse gets a spooky cape at this time of year.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XG7_hAubhj8/XaUGb7YwcmI/AAAAAAAAleA/z7_opejSYUIjC-lyozKKtdHRmcooLvbCgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XG7_hAubhj8/XaUGb7YwcmI/AAAAAAAAleA/z7_opejSYUIjC-lyozKKtdHRmcooLvbCgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1723.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcfullvbiAc/XaUGbxChbhI/AAAAAAAAleA/OOvm5OxmysoIysGQOAC-QO_uZdWkW4BUQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcfullvbiAc/XaUGbxChbhI/AAAAAAAAleA/OOvm5OxmysoIysGQOAC-QO_uZdWkW4BUQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yTdFndwi1o/XaUGb0h1nvI/AAAAAAAAleA/rx_6-dGVxlcWSmYoCifgyXqC_lNupUW0gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yTdFndwi1o/XaUGb0h1nvI/AAAAAAAAleA/rx_6-dGVxlcWSmYoCifgyXqC_lNupUW0gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1725.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pseoWUU3Jt0/XaUGbzIwZjI/AAAAAAAAleA/DOe-yYjAdbMO03eXeAY7hfJjwRl7iU_iACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pseoWUU3Jt0/XaUGbzIwZjI/AAAAAAAAleA/DOe-yYjAdbMO03eXeAY7hfJjwRl7iU_iACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1728.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELx6jEyV9Cg/XaUGb6RttUI/AAAAAAAAleA/G-PNRt6T_a0ha3BYSdMWFFbPMyrgZqzSwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="1600" height="71" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELx6jEyV9Cg/XaUGb6RttUI/AAAAAAAAleA/G-PNRt6T_a0ha3BYSdMWFFbPMyrgZqzSwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1730.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGS6CexM1AY/XaUGb6XvIyI/AAAAAAAAleA/hWJNfoBg28QHZt0KiItBGj9QU3t-NrhGwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGS6CexM1AY/XaUGb6XvIyI/AAAAAAAAleA/hWJNfoBg28QHZt0KiItBGj9QU3t-NrhGwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1731.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>And all the little cutesy European statues get witches' hats and pumpkin bags :)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hh4TdcOx3bk/XaUGb1Mb3BI/AAAAAAAAleA/A7oSVVxYT-cTRrSOnhOPf-Yl8-Ife8lOwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hh4TdcOx3bk/XaUGb1Mb3BI/AAAAAAAAleA/A7oSVVxYT-cTRrSOnhOPf-Yl8-Ife8lOwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1733.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyVrj1vYI8o/XaUGb2yvSWI/AAAAAAAAleA/ppezaMOZ-PswvJhap50qMlmHIsYU3JxowCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyVrj1vYI8o/XaUGb2yvSWI/AAAAAAAAleA/ppezaMOZ-PswvJhap50qMlmHIsYU3JxowCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1734.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zo4KWlyu16s/XaUGb2oyWYI/AAAAAAAAleA/-m0uNPyl9kITTUs1Ngspf0joNTzgXRgOwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zo4KWlyu16s/XaUGb2oyWYI/AAAAAAAAleA/-m0uNPyl9kITTUs1Ngspf0joNTzgXRgOwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52CC0UyPOEE/XaUGb-b6aXI/AAAAAAAAleA/VlNacTFnKjIRjL8cLb9eJvr_MgO_zo6NwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52CC0UyPOEE/XaUGb-b6aXI/AAAAAAAAleA/VlNacTFnKjIRjL8cLb9eJvr_MgO_zo6NwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1749.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffP2YLWK37A/XaUGb9Yda8I/AAAAAAAAleA/yCov_PWI0UgGkgsj5KFBwNA-ktHFmN5iQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffP2YLWK37A/XaUGb9Yda8I/AAAAAAAAleA/yCov_PWI0UgGkgsj5KFBwNA-ktHFmN5iQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1770.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I found the composer with the witch's hat and won three postcards!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWWJBIgiCKc/XaUGb-pFGUI/AAAAAAAAleA/c_5ABM14QYsUMOJjdTeXwg_3hApw88VkgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWWJBIgiCKc/XaUGb-pFGUI/AAAAAAAAleA/c_5ABM14QYsUMOJjdTeXwg_3hApw88VkgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1763.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHlWtcf2Nok/XaUGbyOEaEI/AAAAAAAAleA/M0iP1FrWkVkOA1v0zOK5AZXefOY6jTNnwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHlWtcf2Nok/XaUGbyOEaEI/AAAAAAAAleA/M0iP1FrWkVkOA1v0zOK5AZXefOY6jTNnwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3slZcRgMTs/XaUGb5bRb9I/AAAAAAAAleA/7qamz40e_48Ng7qQBwUe_RTTQKcOXVs1gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3slZcRgMTs/XaUGb5bRb9I/AAAAAAAAleA/7qamz40e_48Ng7qQBwUe_RTTQKcOXVs1gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />From there, we traveled further east to Tokyo for our next major stop. We're staying on the cutest little street in Toshima City, only a few minutes walk from Otsuka Station. The location seemed a little far out of the city centre, but I now know the magic of a well-run and funded rail system in a city. If Toronto ever dreams of being able to support the population it expects in the next ten years, we're going to need more subway lines for sure.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvDQchoofqg/XaUJWAZ9lwI/AAAAAAAAleQ/VpA0WE7ObtcHYQLMu35llbCDpZqEW9zDQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvDQchoofqg/XaUJWAZ9lwI/AAAAAAAAleQ/VpA0WE7ObtcHYQLMu35llbCDpZqEW9zDQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LKdDleDBVlA/XaUJWMBBJfI/AAAAAAAAleQ/KmnV-lzPMPU3Sh0n87O20dbWcvdyO1rOgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LKdDleDBVlA/XaUJWMBBJfI/AAAAAAAAleQ/KmnV-lzPMPU3Sh0n87O20dbWcvdyO1rOgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1830.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zaea95AJXkQ/XaUJWF1Lg7I/AAAAAAAAleQ/ECqK1lQpVyEA_uyAwYhuia-K2PSmjQHygCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zaea95AJXkQ/XaUJWF1Lg7I/AAAAAAAAleQ/ECqK1lQpVyEA_uyAwYhuia-K2PSmjQHygCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Into Shinjuku for a night tour!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHLx6C2A-vo/XaUJWMsQRPI/AAAAAAAAleQ/szGhhvwzlekBcFqR6mcHfyxkfLkPrbl7QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHLx6C2A-vo/XaUJWMsQRPI/AAAAAAAAleQ/szGhhvwzlekBcFqR6mcHfyxkfLkPrbl7QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1909.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWl0bGHm_Y8/XaUJWNr0bUI/AAAAAAAAleQ/AKZhcpnCq0skpPlr931vQ-RaBmKnW2DlQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWl0bGHm_Y8/XaUJWNr0bUI/AAAAAAAAleQ/AKZhcpnCq0skpPlr931vQ-RaBmKnW2DlQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ml5xsXu5g3s/XaUJWFSxtLI/AAAAAAAAleQ/SQ_mVTgQweMGuVMGKbyavyHukx9OFFs3ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ml5xsXu5g3s/XaUJWFSxtLI/AAAAAAAAleQ/SQ_mVTgQweMGuVMGKbyavyHukx9OFFs3ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1920.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Tk92SpU_9U/XaUJWJYmj1I/AAAAAAAAleQ/1P1EKS6-eiQftDnlVv1g6ArdHX2hbNEvACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1600" height="108" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Tk92SpU_9U/XaUJWJYmj1I/AAAAAAAAleQ/1P1EKS6-eiQftDnlVv1g6ArdHX2hbNEvACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4XPkkNidEU/XaUJWCYcLlI/AAAAAAAAleQ/n2oabZ049KANu76LiBzqxnqaUVPMq_NkgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4XPkkNidEU/XaUJWCYcLlI/AAAAAAAAleQ/n2oabZ049KANu76LiBzqxnqaUVPMq_NkgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1924.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FC3ntsgEDRU/XaUJWABt7iI/AAAAAAAAleQ/EwkgBnDC9UI5UCW-NlvvqfYBgz7hA9SawCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FC3ntsgEDRU/XaUJWABt7iI/AAAAAAAAleQ/EwkgBnDC9UI5UCW-NlvvqfYBgz7hA9SawCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tambfa8UMls/XaUJWNwBayI/AAAAAAAAleQ/BnVXwKtgEC0-BD-11dV4gGC_EK_UwjJ0ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tambfa8UMls/XaUJWNwBayI/AAAAAAAAleQ/BnVXwKtgEC0-BD-11dV4gGC_EK_UwjJ0ACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfr6PWrxR38/XaUJWCirP-I/AAAAAAAAleQ/ls-L0onzTVgLJOWpBUfwvF7J9a0cwj1yQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfr6PWrxR38/XaUJWCirP-I/AAAAAAAAleQ/ls-L0onzTVgLJOWpBUfwvF7J9a0cwj1yQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsVBDXOKPgs/XaUJWLz-XaI/AAAAAAAAleQ/0TfavzXytzAc21gRAYRlKMAh8TlAydFDgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsVBDXOKPgs/XaUJWLz-XaI/AAAAAAAAleQ/0TfavzXytzAc21gRAYRlKMAh8TlAydFDgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1979.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Peach flavour Taiyaki :)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHwBj4ggPzQ/XaUJWDNIUEI/AAAAAAAAleQ/o2TVaxL8pZMvbDu_2MckfZuNMkpO4DCxQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHwBj4ggPzQ/XaUJWDNIUEI/AAAAAAAAleQ/o2TVaxL8pZMvbDu_2MckfZuNMkpO4DCxQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Obligatory selfie with the 2019 Rubgy World Cup Mascots</i></div><br />The Ghibli Museum was an absolute dream, each room was a wonder to walk through and see original cells and artwork from many of the films I hold dear. I do wish that (1) they allowed photography and (2) there was a bit more English content. I mean, don't get me wrong, I recognize that I'm in a foreign country and don't expect anyone to bend over backwards for me, but Studio Ghibli puts out subtitles and dubs for most, if not all of their worldwide-hit movies. I didn't think it would be asking too much to expect a little English direction (especially subtitles on the 100% Japanese showing of their exclusive short film) but it was still cool.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoC7qq-e9Qw/XaUK3tvVCEI/AAAAAAAAlec/atpmj1LNPM0fanmaZx1uUBtBM41tW5rdwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_1995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoC7qq-e9Qw/XaUK3tvVCEI/AAAAAAAAlec/atpmj1LNPM0fanmaZx1uUBtBM41tW5rdwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_1995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLDZLMP4Mdw/XaUK3oaRvnI/AAAAAAAAlec/4lMwnAqLauoz7wjWP1G52LkC_St8eFLRQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLDZLMP4Mdw/XaUK3oaRvnI/AAAAAAAAlec/4lMwnAqLauoz7wjWP1G52LkC_St8eFLRQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfbW_JP9YlU/XaUK3okm91I/AAAAAAAAlec/q3epvA-1RGoiYxSAuVyMwfZ38KFNJY4MgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfbW_JP9YlU/XaUK3okm91I/AAAAAAAAlec/q3epvA-1RGoiYxSAuVyMwfZ38KFNJY4MgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aj4R1OrSFw/XaUK3jcoFOI/AAAAAAAAlec/PCXtXs3M_sEFkhhru3X94eKp5J-ZFEUOwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aj4R1OrSFw/XaUK3jcoFOI/AAAAAAAAlec/PCXtXs3M_sEFkhhru3X94eKp5J-ZFEUOwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QtHhQa-mFA/XaUK3hN17bI/AAAAAAAAlec/I0zCYdl6LsgCY0XuvH8zIXKZO3A9AGsFACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QtHhQa-mFA/XaUK3hN17bI/AAAAAAAAlec/I0zCYdl6LsgCY0XuvH8zIXKZO3A9AGsFACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_O-BQq8Mv90/XaUK3qyT46I/AAAAAAAAlec/6ANtC0BThSoH8zRROyKBeel5G8L_PU-KwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_O-BQq8Mv90/XaUK3qyT46I/AAAAAAAAlec/6ANtC0BThSoH8zRROyKBeel5G8L_PU-KwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2018.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uoK-8DmRgVU/XaUK3jYRIlI/AAAAAAAAlec/YwW_zaMeV5o9ie-A-T3AMzXa1d5M7V_rwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uoK-8DmRgVU/XaUK3jYRIlI/AAAAAAAAlec/YwW_zaMeV5o9ie-A-T3AMzXa1d5M7V_rwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A miniature model of Miyazaki's studio (I snuck this photo - don't tell anyone)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YCB2M8knbsg/XaUK3r3XjdI/AAAAAAAAlec/8zRSGwlgxCIHWOk_fVuF1Onc7QYPn0bsACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YCB2M8knbsg/XaUK3r3XjdI/AAAAAAAAlec/8zRSGwlgxCIHWOk_fVuF1Onc7QYPn0bsACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Beautiful stained-glass windows </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(more beautiful from the inside but I didn't want to break any more rules)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4qBPzRMRi4/XaUK3gk9mJI/AAAAAAAAlec/H5Gv5AtUZb8r-KVz_5rJp0GxI23-6P5pgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4qBPzRMRi4/XaUK3gk9mJI/AAAAAAAAlec/H5Gv5AtUZb8r-KVz_5rJp0GxI23-6P5pgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2032.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The little things...</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWNOQcxVoCY/XaUK3psHk2I/AAAAAAAAlec/ok52LUpUFfY3DemZRP2dWmyFsbohN7HsQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWNOQcxVoCY/XaUK3psHk2I/AAAAAAAAlec/ok52LUpUFfY3DemZRP2dWmyFsbohN7HsQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dust Sprites from </i>Spirited Away</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuY8M7p2J_U/XaUK3p0KQRI/AAAAAAAAlec/QI2kfy2HgosxxZBoCUJ__NryfiudeirEACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuY8M7p2J_U/XaUK3p0KQRI/AAAAAAAAlec/QI2kfy2HgosxxZBoCUJ__NryfiudeirEACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A doorstop(?) from </i>Porco Rosso</div><br />After the museum, we found a really cute little neighbourhood and got some excellent shaved ice desserts (kakigori) thanks to Kantaro: the Sweet Tooth Salaryman. This was when I learned that it is currently grape season in Japan. This boded quite well with me as I freakin' love grape-flavoured things, and it all tasted waaaaay too good.<br /><br />Apparently there are special types of grapes (just like every other food in Japan) that cost upwards of $130CAD a pound.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEPp4AcjgCw/XaUF4M5d5_I/AAAAAAAAld4/jCTJrabCbKcE1hxhe0wnUDU_Cu8XK33vQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEPp4AcjgCw/XaUF4M5d5_I/AAAAAAAAld4/jCTJrabCbKcE1hxhe0wnUDU_Cu8XK33vQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2052.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Kakigoriiiiii. So, so good. Best $15CAD I ever spent.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0P40PxSZ04/XaUF4Ou5DVI/AAAAAAAAld4/-XK8DsvpZiwq9fmpaH-BeyRqGiZrVK0YQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0P40PxSZ04/XaUF4Ou5DVI/AAAAAAAAld4/-XK8DsvpZiwq9fmpaH-BeyRqGiZrVK0YQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2057.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This was the day of the Holiday for the Aged</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9el3ivA4kUI/XaUF4B9hCyI/AAAAAAAAld4/Jl9aqCuvdfIbfa1Wv59w1m_sxUXQVsSmwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9el3ivA4kUI/XaUF4B9hCyI/AAAAAAAAld4/Jl9aqCuvdfIbfa1Wv59w1m_sxUXQVsSmwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2058.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A sticker shop I am now obsessed with</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yM4kuKIbgs8/XaUF4H7m30I/AAAAAAAAld4/kLzWk4ETCCQtBplLBXaU8yTXWIlM0cDpwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yM4kuKIbgs8/XaUF4H7m30I/AAAAAAAAld4/kLzWk4ETCCQtBplLBXaU8yTXWIlM0cDpwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2059.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k43lfPW-FZA/XaUF4NZvUPI/AAAAAAAAld4/bUJgpXjpblgMkF9FAfGi3Rd5U5H0zGQIwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k43lfPW-FZA/XaUF4NZvUPI/AAAAAAAAld4/bUJgpXjpblgMkF9FAfGi3Rd5U5H0zGQIwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2066.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEb8r4rx71o/XaUF4BDJpDI/AAAAAAAAld4/NpZZ8HYsWRAYnwjwFX0-2mazfaMAnxwZQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEb8r4rx71o/XaUF4BDJpDI/AAAAAAAAld4/NpZZ8HYsWRAYnwjwFX0-2mazfaMAnxwZQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2067.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0ytuK_vLq0/XaUF4C4na2I/AAAAAAAAld4/Z_mFaFas5ag1kxDKvG538tRNMenYGjVyACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0ytuK_vLq0/XaUF4C4na2I/AAAAAAAAld4/Z_mFaFas5ag1kxDKvG538tRNMenYGjVyACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>This area had Taiko drumming!!!</i></div><br />Teamlab Borderless was amazing, as I expected. It totally met my expectations, and I was happy to have gone in as early in the day as I did. They actually let people in way ahead of their posted opening time (10:00am), which I realized was definitely on purpose. There were already huge standby lines around the block, even in the absolute pissing rain. I arrived at 9:30am, and was let right in. Once inside, there weren't any lines for any individual rooms yet and I was able to get some great photos alone (especially in the Crystal room).<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4jKY6zakko/XaULbTtavTI/AAAAAAAAlek/IEIitu3OTcsPCnDAkOQPoIKHX86q0EdQQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4jKY6zakko/XaULbTtavTI/AAAAAAAAlek/IEIitu3OTcsPCnDAkOQPoIKHX86q0EdQQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2163.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-df469XSklNo/XaULbWpl3uI/AAAAAAAAlek/QoZ2XNtXQ_4E-QPpaGKaLfNJ_EMQ6gABACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-df469XSklNo/XaULbWpl3uI/AAAAAAAAlek/QoZ2XNtXQ_4E-QPpaGKaLfNJ_EMQ6gABACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2164.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mmYHkAyU65k/XaULbUfGvRI/AAAAAAAAlek/UwXlfMtZm8w7cFdq5WHrLbYn2jAJXNyMACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mmYHkAyU65k/XaULbUfGvRI/AAAAAAAAlek/UwXlfMtZm8w7cFdq5WHrLbYn2jAJXNyMACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2170.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I found a secret iPad that lets you control the light diodes in the room. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Behold my rainbow effect!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As I was leaving, I wanted to go back and visit the Floating Nest once more, but there was now a 30-minute wait where there had previously been none! Good thing I got there so early.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLdbiX0yN8o/XaULbb_zmVI/AAAAAAAAlek/oquJg9gBn9EVMN_W-_PwfmB29RY9qxu7gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLdbiX0yN8o/XaULbb_zmVI/AAAAAAAAlek/oquJg9gBn9EVMN_W-_PwfmB29RY9qxu7gCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mItQtq8waGs/XaULbfG8wMI/AAAAAAAAlek/6dHjV9QbgqoU0U95Jp08NxiRX6Ot9wtwwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mItQtq8waGs/XaULbfG8wMI/AAAAAAAAlek/6dHjV9QbgqoU0U95Jp08NxiRX6Ot9wtwwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2205.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIQtlgTn8_U/XaULbcXiz4I/AAAAAAAAlek/3BGVCc65GYYxCDwuoedOBw0iEkPYbGLOwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIQtlgTn8_U/XaULbcXiz4I/AAAAAAAAlek/3BGVCc65GYYxCDwuoedOBw0iEkPYbGLOwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xM_CLv21h0/XaULba9DIxI/AAAAAAAAlek/7O2-AKt1Znkvawvbm-yvS9R3qwQpyOFlgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xM_CLv21h0/XaULba9DIxI/AAAAAAAAlek/7O2-AKt1Znkvawvbm-yvS9R3qwQpyOFlgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2238.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--zPJmkzgFHk/XaULbTk417I/AAAAAAAAlek/09iWHcDYWA4GMfCSOZLoALTCROt0gJqtgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--zPJmkzgFHk/XaULbTk417I/AAAAAAAAlek/09iWHcDYWA4GMfCSOZLoALTCROt0gJqtgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2248.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-efYlpEssE9k/XaULbaANGTI/AAAAAAAAlek/VdAaYMFxFRo0IWvJ0wog3Wb0wKgexHrsQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-efYlpEssE9k/XaULbaANGTI/AAAAAAAAlek/VdAaYMFxFRo0IWvJ0wog3Wb0wKgexHrsQCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2268.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Big shoutout to Sasha and Wahaj for booking it across a financial district with me to find the Ghibli Clock on the second floor facade of a nondescript building. More random things in Tokyo:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vz13m-uzOzE/XaUL1a6NA-I/AAAAAAAAles/bRSyp1QIMZQG4E86dtUOGXWiQOLqFGOWwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vz13m-uzOzE/XaUL1a6NA-I/AAAAAAAAles/bRSyp1QIMZQG4E86dtUOGXWiQOLqFGOWwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Ghibli Clock (separate from the Museum mentioned above - in a financial district).</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9ymLPWj4ZE/XaUL1blwFfI/AAAAAAAAles/8mxa1CUDAPUfgAZmHxUhIv5GhCuV-SFigCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9ymLPWj4ZE/XaUL1blwFfI/AAAAAAAAles/8mxa1CUDAPUfgAZmHxUhIv5GhCuV-SFigCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2096.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Nakagin Capsule Tower</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_wXRkPcuWa0/XaUL1QK2n3I/AAAAAAAAles/AYdpqeNFw70wTscE-odBqYuWIZWJxc7DgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_wXRkPcuWa0/XaUL1QK2n3I/AAAAAAAAles/AYdpqeNFw70wTscE-odBqYuWIZWJxc7DgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alice on Wednesday<i> - Alice in Wonderland themed Cafe!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQtBRhVFKgk/XaUL1cTD-mI/AAAAAAAAles/ZtHxWv3tJcs0p26kFPpQMic3eQoyF_PzwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQtBRhVFKgk/XaUL1cTD-mI/AAAAAAAAles/ZtHxWv3tJcs0p26kFPpQMic3eQoyF_PzwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2119.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c2pBKU_Qu3Y/XaUL1aTY6-I/AAAAAAAAles/ujmzxJNgtMIPUKZrLJl27o3KwdhDzjk4QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c2pBKU_Qu3Y/XaUL1aTY6-I/AAAAAAAAles/ujmzxJNgtMIPUKZrLJl27o3KwdhDzjk4QCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2120.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>My drink - painting the roses red</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Soa6EV9A1tg/XaUL1ZhTczI/AAAAAAAAles/vbrhYb4uFnwTXX_rw6j4dH1a6ooR13qVwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Soa6EV9A1tg/XaUL1ZhTczI/AAAAAAAAles/vbrhYb4uFnwTXX_rw6j4dH1a6ooR13qVwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QATOykb4N2o/XaUL1fzKSMI/AAAAAAAAles/lOycGjPB6fsTfxQRSHAOgwMZAXpZ0QhhACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QATOykb4N2o/XaUL1fzKSMI/AAAAAAAAles/lOycGjPB6fsTfxQRSHAOgwMZAXpZ0QhhACKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2128.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNbTXeNPdQg/XaUL1eIstWI/AAAAAAAAles/GjDarDdXf3YBFeQVr2cEZ3lDeMVeRKPCgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNbTXeNPdQg/XaUL1eIstWI/AAAAAAAAles/GjDarDdXf3YBFeQVr2cEZ3lDeMVeRKPCgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLYJ4ZA3q2o/XaULbaCWJpI/AAAAAAAAlek/YI9N8coIL9wOyjUXhMbNgSHSs7k5eUpdwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLYJ4ZA3q2o/XaULbaCWJpI/AAAAAAAAlek/YI9N8coIL9wOyjUXhMbNgSHSs7k5eUpdwCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YiWa0JfRh4/XaULbSwCcVI/AAAAAAAAlek/kEuqHhVQAocYgkeFAqReDb6oMSD80G-GgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_2325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YiWa0JfRh4/XaULbSwCcVI/AAAAAAAAlek/kEuqHhVQAocYgkeFAqReDb6oMSD80G-GgCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2325.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Goal:<br />I can't believe how fast this trip is going by, we are leaving Tokyo tomorrow for Kyoto. I had originally planned to check out Yoro Park, a really cool experience park outside of Gifu - but because of the Holiday for the Aged (totally a real thing!) it's unexpectedly closed.<br /><br />So instead, we'll spend a bit more time in Tokyo before grabbing the Shinkansen to Kyoto. I can't believe it's only four hours by train but eight hours by car?! What a backwards, magical place Japan is.<br /><br />Kyoto is the spiritual capital of Japan, so I'm hoping to visit some shrines and just make a very serene time of it. I'm also super excited to stay at a bike hostel - complete with included bike rentals! Goodbye, amazing public transit system and hello, amazing biking infrastructure!<br /><br />After that, one more day in Osaka to do some last minute shopping and a stay in a Capsule Hotel to round things out.<br /><br />Random Thought: Little Details<br />In a sort of follow-up from my last random thought, I had been musing over what I had been told about Japanese culture and spending the last week deciding how close the reality actually was to my preconceived notions.<br /><br />People in Japan certainly are polite and friendly, though the language barrier does prevent me from knowing how sincere it all really is. I learned on a walking tour that the word for "no" is rarely used in daily speaking of Japanese, with people preferring to use passive phrases like "let me get back to you" or "that would be difficult to do" instead of refusing something flat out.<br /><br />That said, there are cultural expectations that I simply adore and wish for Canada to take a page out of Japan's book. Public transit is no joke, subway lines connecting within cities and rail lines connecting between cities all over the country. What a truly amazing thing to be able to travel around one's own home country, taking in all the sights to see, using a precise, cheap and reliable train system to go everywhere? Now, I realize that Canada is much bigger than Japan but I can dare to dream that I could take public transit all the way to a territory or two one day...and even then have it be faster than going by car! Such was the case for the Shinkansen between Osaka and Tokyo - 4 hours by public transit and 8 hours by car.<br /><br />There is something underrated about punctuality in Canada, that I think Japan has figured out. While it is existentially "uncool" to be a slave to the clock and some tasks simply require an open-ended timeline, I have always been a fan of committing to predetermined schedules. Whether it comes to public transit, how long you'll wait in line for an attraction, or even how long until your sushi will come streaming down the conveyor belt and onto your plate, Japan takes its time seriously. In this way I think I should have been born there.<br /><br />Even beyond that, many organizations work hard in Japan to remove the difficult little details of life. AirBnB rooms always come with extra amenities that you may not find here, such as laundry soap and microwaves, there are vending machines on every corner (sometimes filled with items that we would find unconventional in Canada), and even Google Maps tells you which train car to board the subway so that you can exit faster from your arrival station. Toronto does have this feature, but it's contained within a third-party app called <a href="http://www.efficientttc.ca/" target="_blank">Efficient TTC</a> that the real TTC has no plans to implement within its own bloated affiliated list of transit apps.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv1oYdxeN0I/XZz8lkWvjXI/AAAAAAAAlZw/yRZwlhmPlpMs8mvcAnxL8WEZGQcQHw-YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_F3F64D046724-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv1oYdxeN0I/XZz8lkWvjXI/AAAAAAAAlZw/yRZwlhmPlpMs8mvcAnxL8WEZGQcQHw-YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_F3F64D046724-1.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><br />The only thing that Canada may be ahead on here is our 2012 removal of pennies from our hard currency. I was left with so many 1-yen coins on some days that I had to work quite hard to spend them - and vending machines often don't accept them either! Come on Japan, get with the times and throw your 1-yen coins in the ocean (or melt them all into a cool modern building or something).<br /><br />Inspiration: <a href="https://www.lorepodcast.com/episodes" target="_blank">Lore Podcast</a><br />It is not often that I listen to podcasts, and even rarer that I blog about them, but I have found one that I actually enjoy (bringing my total up to 3). Aaron Mahnke and his team of researchers bring us a show that's very creepy and just perfect for the slide into fall (which of course brings Halloween). Throughout his ~60 minute biweekly episodes, Mahnke narrates true-life scary stories. Lore exposes the darker side of history, exploring the creatures, people, and places of our wildest nightmares.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSjoz8ub81k/XZ0AtXK4JMI/AAAAAAAAlZ8/kwFOQhkIxh05lWyv8FUwLBQQZ2ExHjC3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSjoz8ub81k/XZ0AtXK4JMI/AAAAAAAAlZ8/kwFOQhkIxh05lWyv8FUwLBQQZ2ExHjC3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The episodes span throughout time from as far back as human history can go, up to the present day. Of course you may already know that I can't stand conversational podcasts, opting for the more fact-based or single-person storytelling experience (both of which are featured in this podcast). The eerie music from Chad Lawson completes the mood, making for a sort of digitized version of the campfire story experience.<br /><br />I appreciate the level of detail that Mahnke and his team reveal, from the outfits and scenery of the style of the setting of the stories, to their speculations about the way the characters may have been feeling or their reasons for reacting the way they did. Plus, it's just some damn-good storytelling.<br /><br />I noted that I may have finally found a good opportunity in my life to make time for podcasts - on long journeys. Plane and train rides made for good moments to look out at the scenery and sink into a good scary story. As I happened to listen to an episode about Japanese Feudalism on the train between Tokyo and Kyoto, it dawned on me again that the stories are true. This is what makes them so magnetic - sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://v/" target="_blank">Lore</a> on whatever Podcast player you enjoy...and whatever you do...stay away from its Amazon Prime televised offspring. It's nowhere near as good as the podcast format.Chloehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282743655247915257noreply@blogger.com0