Summer KICKOFF

It's been a while! During that while, it's been 90% humid 36-degree weather every day! Time to list some of the cool shit that happened since the last pix, as well as some future stuff:

• I passed my entrance exam! Both written and oral exams didn't go well, and I'm sure I left a bad impression of my intellectual ability on all the professors involved. But since I made it, I don't care that much! The MSc course will begin next April, which gives me 8 months to revise undergrad physics (and maybe study ahead a little bit), take more Japanese classes, and settle into my new apartment (which I hope to find within a couple of weeks) before getting completely serious. Ideal, is it not?
  
• I went to Tenjin Matsuri, one of the larger Japanese festivals, held annually in Osaka. One of the best things about that festival is this website, a truly sublime creation as far as websites are concerned. Be sure to indulge (I spoil you guys an awful lot, don't I...).
  
• I had my first jam sessions, with 7 different people in total, and I'm awaiting contact from a cool funky band I saw by the riverside last Wednesday soon to find out when we can jam together, since we were all excited about it. Also bought my stand and gig bag - they need some pimping, but I'm as good as good to go. Though my vacation, which has finally really begun, is quite full with short trips here and there, I aim to spend lots of time with my treasured red love. I saw her insides for the first time yesterday, and removed the evil loose screw that was making a ruckus.
• I went to a beer garden for the first time. It's basically a very informal all-you-can-eat-and-drink terrace on top of a department store. Rather less romantic and pretty than I'd imagined, but with people of all sizes and ages gathering and the food and drink being quite alright, it was very enjoyable.
• I met up with my friend Yuuki from London, who was in her motherland for a brief month. "It's a small world" kind of feeling.
  
• I lost my sunglasses.
• I got hold of the Jazz Jackrabbit soundtracks - videogame music is just the best. Nostalgia galore! (Who needs sunglasses anyway...)
  

Holiday plans:

• Biwako fireworks tomorrow, with Ego & other ppl.
• Beach house party in Kobe on Saturday.
• Uji fireworks on Sunday.
• Day trip to Nara on Monday.
• Meeting/clubbing with Koki on Tuesday (do I hear a FINALLY!?!).
• Leaving for "camp" with tutor Ryu, his buddy, and Tareq early Wednesday morning, coming back Friday.
• Leaving for Shizuoka with Misa & friends on Monday, coming back Wednesday.
• Leaving for onsen trip with Misa on Monday, coming back the next day.
• Leaving for Hiroshima trip with 100+ dancers on Sep. 4, coming back Sep. 7.
  
• 2 weeks of Tokyo.
• Finding apartment, studying music, jamming, dancing, partying, doing kanji, finally finishing downloading One Piece (DAMN it's slow).

YES!

Dreams

Just finished watching The Science of Sleep, which put me in a very pleasant state of daydreaming. Being deprived of mind-altering substances these days, the next best thing is sleep and all its subtle joys. Microsleep and its microdreams, napping in excess, listening to DJ Frane's dream-inducing sounds while concentrating on the inside of my head .. backed up by previous experience together with a wonderful friend of mine, I am quite confident that I'm getting to the advanced stages of sleep enjoyment. That word doesn't cover it, like it already lost its meaning for food, music and dance a long time ago. I can't believe so many people honestly consider being asleep for half of your life such a waste.

Two notes:

• Read this article about what people in my field of science think about God.
• I was serious; DJ Frane is really good, whether you're a druggy or not (though probably better in the first case). Check him out.

Music as Identity

During my whole stay here so far, I've been examining myself and the people around me to see how they define themselves (whether consciously or not) and how they come across to others (whether consciously or not). I also have discussions with friends (Japanese and non-) about the existence of a non-bodily soul (which I don't believe in) and the formation of identity. It's a theme that's been on my mind a lot for the past couple of years for sure, but this time in my life is providing me with a wonderfully interesting new light in which to view the evidence.

When I got off the plane on April 2, I wondered how my identity would change while being here. As a more practical matter, I wondered how I would come across to other people. And I was sure that I didn't want to lose touch with the identity, the life that I'd had before (as if that's possible at all - yeah, it was a major change in my life, so there you go). Since day 1, I realized that the main way in which I'm consciously trying to shape and maintain my identity is by music. Of course, that's how things were back in Holland as well, and I remember that I first wrote a list of "songs that are important to me" (sometimes adding the "why") back in late 2003, while I was traveling through Ecuador by myself.

I noticed that I've become more expressive in certain ways during the past two years as a result of focusing on expression through music and dance. I also tend to be attracted to people who have a similar sense of self-expression - in music and dance, of course, but also in other art forms or more down-to-earth things that allow expression, like cooking (unprofessionally), room decoration and clothing (though other priorities restrict my own self-expression in these latter two aspects...a reminder that the person I used to be, and who makes up a big part of my identity, is a true nerd! Awesome).

I guess that for professional musicians, or at least those who have the liberty to create the music they really want to, this is a very common issue, since all they really do is express who they are through their music - I'd love to have some discussion about this with pro musicians though, to see how conscious they are about what they're expressing. In particular, I am wondering about the sense of identity pro musicians - on the road and in the studio 300+ days per year - have. From the rare occasions I've had to speak with them, two contrasting standpoints emerged: the "I can't be bothered to deal with music outside my work - I need a break sometimes" and the "just like anyone else - grab my ipod as soon as the concert [I just performed] is over" way of doing things. Either way, they must certainly have a different attitude towards music than anyone not in their boat. The main thing that's keeping me from creating the dream of a full-fledged professional musician for myself is the fear that, compared to being an amateur musician and dancer who's having a BLAST with music in different settings and with different people, the cons outweigh the pros. We'll see, we'll see...(hell, fundamental physics is just as awesome).

Okay, my laundry's about done and I need to get cooking, so here's a list of music that's important to me right now:

• Tower of Power. Excellent for locking, great balance between mellow soul and fast funk, fun compositions.
• Chiclete de Banana. Party music if I've ever heard it. Having never been to Brazil, the abundance of this kind of music makes me think the Brazilian people have really managed to accomplish something spectacular in the ongoing human quest for how to have the best party. Plus it reminds me of Nice and Maputo, where I've had some great times with Brazilians and their music.
• Marcus Miller. Somehow the coolest sound around. Funky, street-wise arrangements with hip-hop beats and that low-end sound with the dopest attitude...add in the occasional uncommon instrument, and I cannot but think this guy has some major chilling experience.
  
• Kerri Chandler & Dennis Ferrer. Amazing fusion of African (and occasionally Brazilian) sounds with underground club electronics, resulting in some fabulous house music. My favourite dance tunes were created by these guys.
• Ozric Tentacles. A world of inspiration for my synthesizing endeavours. I love listening to their medley of rock, reggae, psychedelia and fast electronic stuff.
• Masters at Work. Would be classified with Kerri & Dennis, but these guys have a slightly more disco edge, and African is replaced by Middle- and South-American. I would recommend their Nuyorican Soul to anyone. In fact, it's speedrocketing (why does Google only give me 4 results on that word? Hmm...) up my list of favorite albums discovered this year (believe me, that number is huge), partially due to the fact that it's really an ALBUM. It's very satisfying to hear so many musicians and styles come together to create something that sounds so consistent, and I really think it attests to their producing mastery.
  
• Tool. Slightly gloomy, unforgivingly genius rock. Together with Hiromi's Martin Valihora, this drummer takes the #1 spot.
• Count Basie. Pure goodness, exciting me for my future jazz bar project with F.
  

Laundry, laundry...

I Hate Bureaucracy, or Do I Really Want To Be A Caveman?

I'll just throw this up and get it over with: I'm getting tired of studying so much. And I'm frustrated with the procedures for getting the university to act as my guarantor for the lease contract on a new apartment. Going to the International Service Office tomorrow in the hope that the 10-something papers that need to be organized can be done within a day or two. I hate bureaucracy.

Alrighty! Considered, accepted. Next up: Gion Matsuri!!!! It's finally here, and despite the occasional thunderstorm and the not-so-occasional exam, circumstances are perfect. I went last night for the first time - with Misa -, and am going again tomorrow (with Ego) and on Thursday morning (with Misa). Incidentally, I made friends with a Polish girl who's been here for a year and is leaving soon, whose field of research is something to do with Japanese religion and history. Talking to her, I was very relieved to find that there IS actually someone who knows what these things mean and where they come from! Great. (I still don't).

As for me, I'm just walking around in my yukata (generously lent by Misa's dad, handmade by her great-grandma) and geta (wooden slippers), enjoying the feast that Gion Matsuri is for my eyes, ears, nose and especially mouth. Food stalls lining the streets at night - only in matsuri time, and very cool to discover the Japanese know what street food means after all.

For lack of inspiration, I'll let the pix speak for themselves. Also some overdue pix regarding anti-G8 protesting, post-Zero drinking, my stolen bike, Titinart's goodbye, Kyoto U's welcome party (the one with the Totoro brass band), karaoke with Misa's friends (I had the pleasure of participating in an otherwise all-girls Japanese birthday party), a ski shop called Kandahar, and the rainy season.

A final note: I'm having fun planning some good stuff for this summer, though it means I won't be able to buy much else than the bare essential (stove) once I move into my new place. Oh well! Updates as stuff crystallizes out. Looks like I won't be seeing Mark but will be seeing Koki, in any case.