Well, this came up when I had dinner a few days ago in Tokyo with two Japanese friends I first met almost 4 years ago but never had the chance to see each other again through these years (we met online through the love of Moleskine BTW). I felt great that we had yet again another intellectual conversations and sharing what's happening in our lives. Facts vs. Context, Facts vs. Patterns, the ability to see is the ability to recognize patterns and context, books recommendations to share, kids etc.
One tiny topic was about "what if there is no electricity" which we all take it for granted. The topic came after we were contemplating the pattern that when we live in our own cultures so familiar with us we take things for granted which is also the reason why a understanding others' cultures opens our eyes to brand new grounds and patterns. And we should make this pattern recognition a compulsory education to our kids.
(This photo is on Flickr's Explore page on 11th July 2010)
The day after, I went to stay in Ryu Itsuki san's home for a night to find out about his works and passions. He brought along some friends and we had such a great time even though I can't speak Japanese. Fat boy Mijonju and his wife was there all along having fun and video taping (do we still call this video "taping" nowadays?). Itsuki san published two books about auto half cameras in Japanese, if there is any English book publisher out there interested in having the books in English please contact Itsuki san or me.
Incidentally, I got myself a beautiful auto half from Itsuki san, which requires no battery for light metering and winding. Talking about patterns here, can you see the pattern of this particular trip of mine to Tokyo? Well, it comes to an end tomorrow when I will fly back to Hong Kong. I took a photo of the little pleasant objects I have in my room's desk. BTW, when I was walking on the street of Tokyo today I came up with the idea that "men tends to possess objects while women tends to possess relationship", I don't know if you agree with me but I mean it in a positive way.
