Cameras are a tool I use to express myself.  I have always felt comfortable with on in my hand.  The camera has given me the freedom to go out into the world, and see the world though an extension of my heart.  I have been able to cultivate and explore the interconnectedness and symbiotic nature of that world.  It is like writing down in my journal. A visual journal created with pixels, and oxides.  Line by line, page by page or frame by frame they all build a story of my life.  Sometimes I wonder why I bother.  But that notion is quickly squashed when I over that I have no choice.  I must go out into the world and find my voice, and record those interactions in images.

Click after click

Day after Day.

Line by handwritten Line

The sun has dipped eternally behind the horizon. It has dipped so far down that I spotted falling snowflakes in Chiba, Japan today.  Since the weather is cold, almost to the point of freeing I have decided that I must create my own sunshine.  My wind wanders to my home sitting there at the rock bottom of the map, basking in all the beauty that is Miami.  Open up that sun and send those warming rays of light over to Tokyo.  We all need that sunshine.

The rain returned with a vengeance today.  The temp dropped, there was not chance to take out the camera, so I went thought some pics from the other day.  This once image I had snapped from a macro on a sign kind of hit me in a funny spot.  STATE, with all the decay, mildew, and mold growing on it.  Made me stop for a moment, and take stock.  Not so much for the way the it all is, but the way it all SHOULD be.  Therefore let us not worry, go out into the world and be the change that we want it to be.

One seed planted in rich earth is all it takes.  The roots grow into the soil, seeking out nutrients.  Raising up its hands to the shining sun.  Time will tell, and Babylon’s concrete trap will all come falling down.  Go out, plant, reap, and sow a beautiful future for all.

Spring is all around.  As my man Scott said posting a Bob Marley video, “The sun is shining, The weather is sweet.”

I am seeing spring where ever I choose to see it.  Colors pop out, even everyday objects take on a different glow when seen though the eyes of Spring Madness.  I am so thankful that the most high gives us the seasons to appreciate and watch the earth go though it’s revolutions.

Color, Color

Life bringing, waking up the sleeping.

Remove the scales from your eyes and see.

The mercury dropped today to mimic the falling petals of the cherry blossoms.  I guess you can say I have a bit of spring fever, waiting and wanting the warmer weather to return.  So, for those of you who want spring to brighten your day, enjoy the last of the flowers.

Fall, Falling, Fallen . . .

I have been struggling to understand the Japanese obsession with the coming of the cherry blossoms for years.  People stare in amazement at the lovely pink and white blossoms that fill the heavens in late March to early April.

Some celebrate the coming of the blossoms to express their joy in Bacchus self abandonment.  Drinking themselves until they lay motionless under the trees they came out to enjoy.  Families gather for yearly portraits under the flowers.

Today as I was riding my bicycle thought the falling pink petals I was puzzled trying to come to a realization of why there is so much commotion of with the pink madness.  I remembered what I had asked my wife if she had ever seen cherry blossom trees out in the wild and she answered NO.  Therefore her and many others experience of the blossoms has been though the lens of an urban landscape.  I think this is the key to my satori.

That the cherry blossoms are a way for people to connect with their earthen roots.  Their roots that go back to when Japanese society was a purely agricultural society before they industrialized.  By standing in awe of the natural beauty of the flowers they can touch part of their spirit that has faded as Japan has stepped into the industrial age.

So, now I can stare up and see the urban concrete jungle of daily Tokyo intertwined with the branches cherry blossoms.  All merging into a beauty that only comes around for a couple of weeks each year.

A new neighborhood has been granted to me to explore.  This neighborhood is outside of Tokyo and falls in Chiba prefecture.  Tsudanuma.  Its a bustling little hub between Nishi Funabashi station and the big JR station in Chiba city.  I only was able to scratch the surface today, but I know I will be back and wander the back streets of this town.  For now, this will satisfy my hunger to explore the neighborhood.  But, just.

Sometimes if feels that I am standing on the edge of a mist that shrouds everything in mystery.  I do not know where to step, and where that step will lead me.  However, this is no reason to fret.  Take a deep breath and let the spirit wind of the most high enter into your consciousness.  Do not be afraid.  Your lost roots can be rediscovered.  The present is where you stand at any given point in time, and the future, no one knows.

step, Step, STEP

trod, Trod, TROD

soon come

Another nice spring like day today.  Will it last?  I do not know but I will enjoy it while I can.  This kitty was out in the sun sunning himself.  The throngs of flower worshippers skirted about their serious business of taking pictures and enjoying the sunny skies and the beauty of the cherry blossoms.

The weather was gorgeous yesterday.  The sun shone brightly in the sky and it seems like my entire neighborhood headed to the park to bask in the sun and soak up the cherry blossoms.  As we walked arounf the park I couldn’t help but remember that the only reason we have this lovely park is because of the godzilla sized power lines that run the entire length of the park.

So there we are enjoying the “great outdoors” with fragments of the urban world invading our space.  But like I have said to others before, it is better to have some open space in the city, rather than none at all.  So if you can, get out there and enjoy the few urban natural spaces.  Let them be a place where community can come together and pursue peaceful pleasures.

Its that time of year again.  When hopefully the weather warms the days lengthen and the Cherry blossom trees bloom in their passing beauty.  I was fortunate to be out in Chiba yesterday and got to view some of the blossoms, because today the wind is absolutely howling.

Walking around watching the spring madness i couldn’t help think to myself the connection we should all feel with the changing seasons.  It is perfectly natural, in our DNA as humans, to appreciate the spring.  The rebirth of the land from the seemingly endless death of winter.

Here in Japan the reverence for the first flowers comes out at times more like lunacy rather than appreciation.  People gather under the trees and drink themselves into oblivion.  All the camera otaku (nerds or geeks) get their macro, zoom and other gadgets out to get that perfect picture.  Don’t get me wrong I love the spring and the changing seasons, but I love to photography and immerse myself in the frenzy of appreciation.  That spectacle is thrilling.   Enjoy the spring madness.