Category: Misc.

Things That Spark Joy in Me

, , Misc., Slice of Life, Well-beingLeave a Comment on Things That Spark Joy in Me
"Things That Spark Joy" Cedar Park, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 18mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO400
 “Things That Spark Joy” Cedar Park, 2019

こんばんは。How’s it going?

It seems that everyone is talking about Marie Kondo lately because of her show on Netflix. I’ve seen a couple episodes and read her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which I enjoyed, and like a lot of other people, I’ve been re-examining the things that I buy and keep. I’ve put together a list of items that not only “spark joy”, but also are things that I use often and if I lost the item, I’d buy it again.

Instead of listing them here, I created a page so I can update as needed. If you have a few minutes free, why don’t you check out my list? (And if you buy anything via the links, I’ll get a small kick-back from Amazon 🤗)

またね～

A Rare Television Time

Misc.Leave a Comment on A Rare Television Time

When I stay at my parents’ house for the holidays it’s always interesting to see what’s on tv because I don’t watch American television shows very much. So it’s eye-opening to see what ads are being shown to the Southern Californian tv-viewing audience.

As far as ads are concerned, it’s all about new cars and new drugs. I can’t believe how many there are! Ford Sellathon, Toyatathon, Happy Honda Days, Mercedes Benz Winter Event, Chevy Families, etc. And the drug commercials – I can’t keep up with all the creative names, but the trend seems to be skincare/psoriasis this year, and diabetes is always high on the playlist.

I just finished the book A Thousand Miles to Freedom: My Escape from North Korea, and the author describes life in the totalitarian state and the brainwashing they North Korean regime inflicts on its people with its strict control of access to information. I keep thinking of the tv (which seems to be constantly on) here at my parents’ house and the words and images always streaming out of it. It’s a different kind of brainwashing, but easy to see the similarities.

Christmas Eve Morning Run

Misc.Leave a Comment on Christmas Eve Morning Run
"Running Shoes" Torrance, 2018
Photo info: motorola moto g(6), 3.95mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO361
 “Running Shoes” Torrance, 2018

Went for a 2-mile run/walk around my the neighborhood where I grew up. There have been a few changes over the years, such as stop signs replacing yield sign, but for the most part, the neighborhood is still the same. I ran around my old elementary school as well, and it still looks the same. The original buildings are there, and of course, there are the newer “temporary” classrooms that have been there for so long, they seem permanent.

Every year, I am happy to see that the rocket ship in the playground still survives. It has seen several modernization/safety upgrades over the years but it’s essentially the same. I hope they never get rid of it!

"Rocket" Torrance, 2018
Photo info: motorola moto g(6), 3.95mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO177
 “Rocket” Torrance, 2018

Cloud Appreciation Society

I Like It, Misc., Well-being1 Comment on Cloud Appreciation Society

こんにちは。

Yesterday, Pauline, a fellow photographer, commented on one of my cloud photos that it was “one for the Cloud Appreciation Society” and included a link to the following TED talk:

Well, I watched the video and was completely blown away… Gavin Pretor-Pinney’s talk brought me to tears. I’ve mentioned in the past how fascinated I am by clouds (and also how surprised I am of the lack of enthusiasm that others have towards them) so I was so elated to find out that there is a group of like-minded people who are also enchanted by clouds. Without hesitation, I became a member of the Cloud Appreciation Society – #46923!

Anyway, here’s a cloud animation from when we visited Spain in 2017, and I just realized that I’ve kept a cloud photo as my website title image for the past year or so. 😄

Have a wonderful day, and “Look up, marvel at the ephemeral beauty, and always remember to live life with your head in the clouds!” (from the Cloud Appreciation Society Manifesto)

またね～

Snapshots from Today

, , Food, Misc., Slice of LifeLeave a Comment on Snapshots from Today

こんばんは。How’s it going? Today’s post is simply a few photos from the day.

This morning started out with a neighborhood cat coming over to say hi to Yuzu.

"Inside vs Outside" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/9 sec, ISO3200
 “Inside vs Outside” Cedar Park, 2018

When I arrived at work, the light looked beautiful shining through the leaves in the tree.

"Morning Light" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/220 sec, ISO200
 “Morning Light” Austin, 2018
"Morning Light" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO320
 “Morning Light” Austin, 2018

Tonight we had shredded beef and cole-slaw sliders for dinner. I took the standard food photo, but also a “behind the scenes” shot.

"Behind the Scenes" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/18 sec, ISO3200
 “Behind the Scenes” Cedar Park, 2018
"Shredded Beef and Cole Slaw" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO3200
 “Shredded Beef and Cole Slaw” Cedar Park, 2018

I hope you had a nice day!

またね～