As the wind was whipping up around me last Friday, I used the time to mull over in my mind my relationship to the environment.  Being in the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo we sometimes forget that there is a rhythm to life that is not set by the subway timetables.

There are seasons to be observed.  The Japanese were very in tune with nature, and their attention to the arts reflect this connection; however, the connections between man and nature are being severed.  For example, I heard from a friend a few weeks ago that some residents across the river from me were in a complete panic when they found yellow powder in the streets and on the buildings.  They immediately jumped to the conclusion the radiation from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant’s radiation has reached their homes.  Even though, radiation, is odorless, colorless and tasteless.  The officials checked the suspicious yellow powder, which turned out to be just plain old pollen.

Have we so lost touch with nature that we have forgotten that at certain times of the year pollen dusts our neighborhoods?  I try to live my live with a balance between the urban and the natural.  It isn’t always easy, because of the way we isolate ourselves from nature.

Take the time to notice the seasons.  Take the time to notice how the plants have grown, shed, or changed since the day before.  Take notice of these things as they meld and mix with the concrete and steel around us.

The day was absolutely gorgeous yesterday.  It was actually the first day, that wearing my fleece lined jacket was a little too much to be out and about.  I finished up what I was doing a bit early and took a stroll, in Narashino.  The wind was just howling.  Cherry Blossom petals filled the air, like pink spring snow.

The sprouting flowers were fighting the wind, moving too and fro in the pollenated air.  These little wonders seemingly so week, effortlessly were able to hold their ground.  They were flexible and strong enough to hold their ground.

I guess the point that I am getting at is that we too must be flexible as the earth shifts beneath our lives that we have built here in Tokyo.  If we are too rigid we will break.  If we are too flexible we will just be like a man-o-war floating where ever the waves take us.

The situation here has the ability to change in a second.  Our whole world could be thrown into the wind without any notice; therefore, I am trying to be flexible in my thoughts and actions.  I am looking to how nature will rebound from tragedy, and we too will rebound.

One Love

One Life

One Desitiny

Be safe in all you do.

Today I was reminded how alive the earth is in Japan.  The earth has been shaking with many aftershocks since 5pm yesterday.  I had a terrible sleep.  I awoke pretty much every time the earth moved.  There has been so much shaking that I am now suffering from Phantom Earthquake Syndrome.  I feel movement even when there isn’t any.

I was also reminded today that we have many brothers and sisters in the Tohoku region who are in danger with even more horrendous aftershocks,and not being provided with clear information from both TEPCO and the Japanese government.  I was clued in to remembering this as a scientist in the Tohoku region left a comment on my blog.

There is still much work to be done.  The sometimes wishy washiness of the decision making process here in Japan, can move at a snails pace.  My heart truly goes out to the people of the hardest hit areas.  As my wife likes to remind me here we have inconveniences but the people up north in Fukushima and Sendai have a mind boggling disaster to deal with.

My family went though hurricane Andrew in 1992 which the scale was terrible, but the loss of life was low, because people could be warned and were able to prepare.  Here in Japan, there was little to no time.

As I was walking home today, I noticed some more of the starflowers growing among the weeds at a construction site.  I was amazed at how those little guys could thrive on what looked like to me just concrete and dirt.  It was the flip side of everything else I experienced today.  It was again the reminder that spring has sprung.

So I ask of my family friends, and anyone else who comes across this blog.  Remember those people from Fukushima, Sendai, and the Tohoku region.  Keep them in your prayers and hearts.

After a cold and rainy Saturday, the weather warmed and I decided to stroll over to my local park to see the cherry blossoms and see if my fellow neighbors would too.  I was astonished to see how my people were crowded into the park.  Families had spread plastic sheets all over the park.  Couple strolled hand in hand snapping pictures as they went.

There are some possible reasons why so many ventured out this year to our neighborhood park.  Metropolitan Tokyo but a damper on the hanami (flower viewing) parties in their parks, but our park is run by Edogawa ward.  There were no lanterns hung this year, but there were many more people.  Maybe they came out to the local park rather than hopping on the train to a bigger Tokyo park.  I also truly feel that with all the tragedy and stress people have been under today was a chance to escape it, and to welcome the beautiful little things that the Japanese take so much pleasure in.

It again gave me a lot of hope to see so many people out and enjoying the weather.  There is still a long way to go, but we are going there together, and Japan will overcome.

I have been going through a lot over the last several weeks, as I am sure many of my fellow expats and Japanese have been going through with the after effects of the earthquake, tsunami and the ongoing nuclear situation.  I have been reasoning deeply with myself what is my position in all of this.  What should my reaction as a human and an artist should be?

I have been in this situation shortly after 9/11 in NYC.  My images I was creating were so overwhelmingly negative that it was beginning to make me ill.  But, I knew I had to capture these raw emotions in order to start the healing process within myself.  I find myself in a similar situation now; however, I do have 10 years experience since NYC.

And I have decided that the side that I must show is the positive.  I need to balance those sides in my artistic creations.  There is so much evil in the world, and the media over covers that so much that it makes me sick to my stomach.  I want to, I need to create work that is positive, showing the hope and the beauty in the world.

Spring is springing here.  The passover is coming.  A time to renew my relationship with the creator.  As a jew it is important to renew the self.  I see the flowers blooming.  I see the new recruits in their crisp justly bought suits.  These are the seeds of change that the world needs in a sea of despair.

Seek out the light.  Put your faith in higher places.  Do not let the hype paralyze you from action. Set this spring as a chance to renew yourself, and create the world that we all want to live in.

Much respect to double you from flickr for seeing the change in my images before I even could consciously.

Stop and smell life.

peace and much love from Tokyo, Japan.

The weather was gorgeous today.  The sun was high in the sky and the cool air blowing in from Tokyo Bay.  As the residents of Tokyo continue to return to normal the flowers only know that it is time to spring forth.

The blooming has begun across all kinds of plants.  Rose bushes are starting to unfold their lovely petals.  The cherry blossom trees that line my park are continuing to open up.  Small groups of mothers with their children are gathering under the cherry blossoms to celebrate the end of winter and the coming of spring.  This year the hanami (cherry blossom watching parties) will be a bit subdued.  I do not see scores of new recruits staking out blue tarps for company parties after the work day has finished.  Tokyo has banned large parties this year and has posted signs that if you are to gather to keep it quiet and cut back on the drinking.

Even though the large parties will not happen, I will be happy to see families out and about enjoying the spring.  With all that Japan has suffered in there 3-11 the bonding will be beneficial for all.

I have, we have, no choice but to be optimistic.  We have to think towards a better day.  We are all trying to cut back on our electrical use.  We are all trying to get back to our so called normal lives.  I sincerely hope that Japan will continue to be thrifty with their energy consumption after learning to make do with less.

No matter what we do, we cannot stop spring from springing; therefore, we should embrace the spring with open arms like long lost family.  Hey there spring!  It surely is fantastic to see you again.

I have been back in Tokyo now for one week.  It has been a bit of a roller coaster since leaving the warm sun drenched suburbs of Miami, for the cold spring of Tokyo.  As the communities in Japan struggle to return to normalcy, I awoke Friday morning in an inexplicable good feeling.  It was as if some worries of mine had been plucked out from my heart.

As rode the darkened Tozai Line I started thinking that we all are in this together.  We all must do what ever we can to help Japan.  For some us that just means, taking care of our families and continuing to work.

I have decided that the best way for me to acclimate to my odd surroundings is to continue to do what I do best.  Use my camera as means of expression.  Trying to show my community and the world the side of Japan that I see.

These cherry blossoms that are starting to unravel their petals are a sign of good things to come.  This not to say that there are not going to be difficulties, but humans are crafty and together we can overcome.

I spent three hours yesterday wondering around Shin Urayasu trying to take in what my neighbors across the river from have been going through.  The first thing that I have to say is that although the damage is quite extensive, it can not even be compared to what the people in the Tohoku area have been going through.

As my sneakered feet wandered in between the houses, and apartment complexes that fill the reclaimed land of Urayasu, I couldn’t help but notice that for as much damage that had been done, there was as construction crews all over the city.  The dusty air filed my nose and the rattling of jack hammers hit my eardrums.  I was surprised to see housewives sweeping up dust into white drawstring bags and placing them in front of their homes.

A sign at a local kindergarden gives the people words of encouragement in their times of trouble.  I was warmed to see people working as a community to help get the city back to normal as quickly as possible.

Walking along recently graveled filed sidewalks I would stop and stare at a portion of a wall that had collapsed or to watch a construction crew to repair streets.  The amount of activity was mind boggling.

I have great hope for the future of Japan.  Japan has an opportunity to come together to face the triple disaster and emerge on the other side stronger and connected with each other.  Spring is here.  The flowers are reaching for the sun.  I pray that all the love and cooperation will continue long after all the dust has been cleaned from the streets.

As the earth still continues to shake, and TEPCO struggles to contain the the nuclear power plant, the colorful blossoms of spring are popping up in my neighborhood.  The Cherry Blossom trees are covered with buds that should burst forth any day now.

As all these issues that I have absolutely no control over swirl around me I can take some comfort in knowing that mother nature will continue through its cycles.  The flowers will continue to bloom.  The children who have been bundled up during the winter months will head to the parks to play.  All the signs that spring is coming.

Still I feel this uneasiness this spring.  I am sure that there will be little partying under the cherry blossoms.  People’s hearts are heavy with uncertainty about the future.  I have no choice but to be optimistic that a better future will come.

Disasters are a part of human kind, and they challenge us to rise above and overcome them.  My prayers go out to those on the front lines of disasters here in Japan and throughout the world.

For all my family and friends out there, keep us all in prayers.

You all must be tired of reading me bitch about the weather.  But seriously, I have had enough.  The rain is cold and I still need to use heaters in the house.  Being able to take my time to wander the streets it is just too bloody cold to do it.

Between the dense misty rain today, I was able to snap off a few clicks.  Wishing that the cold rain won’t seep into my lens.  I have to be careful pulling out my little Ricoh to keep it safe and dry.

Just some images of the rain, and cold.  Umbrellas seem to be a theme because there is nowhere I can go to escape them.

Pop, POP pop.

Drizzling, icy rain

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 . . .

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.