Binaural recordings from my fifth floor apartment.
Saturday, 10 November 2012, 10:30.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm here

My Brightest Diamond

What is the saddest most beautiful song you know? For me, it's been Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now. And then I heard another devastatingly beautiful song a few months ago by My Brightest Diamond called I have never loved someone (listen here)

A week ago, my divine friend Laurel happened to tell me "oh, Shara (singer-songwriter of the second most beautiful song ever and this great song and this one too) is my first cousin".

Laurel moved back to America the following day.

I missed a skype date with Laurel (and Shara) last night, but when I woke up this morning, something very special was waiting for me in my inbox.

Oh Toshi

Meet Toshi (田原俊彦). I found him in the vinyl section of a second-hand store in Kyoto for ￥100 the other day.

Itterashai

I remember when I was a very little girl, our house caught on fire.

I'll never forget the look on my father's face as he gathered me up

in his arms and raced through the burning building out to the pavement. 

I stood there shivering in my pajamas and watched the whole world go up in flames.

And when it was all over I said to myself, "Is that all there is to a fire?" (Peggy Lee)

Thank you for 1079 days together in Japan. I'm going to miss you, you little thing.

Zōri

Life moves at a much slower pace in Yanesen - an area in east Tokyo that managed to escape damage during the bombing in World War II. On our way to visit a gallery, my friend Yoshiyuki recognized this tiny café well-known for ogyochi - a Taiwanese dessert with a texture similar to jelly. Stepping into this small café was like something out of The Twilight Zone. The family in the photograph never said a single word the entire time they were there. Neither did we, really...

Homemade

The only good thing that comes with the tsuyu (the rainy season) in Japan, are ume (Japanese plums). Now is the time when Japanese people make umeshu or "plum wine" - which is more of a liqueur and is equally delish on the rocks or with soda. In winter it's excellent mixed with hot water. Umeshu has been one of my favourite drinks for the last three years I've been living in Japan. So, with supermarkets stocked with all the necessary supplies, I decided to make my own. I just have to wait at least 6 months before I get to sample it!