Disregard

Human natures cruel twist...

Questions for a monk on a mountain

Why do I choose my own path? Why do I listen to the words of those inspirational naysayers spreading the searing words of creative revolution? Why do I keep on pushing? Why do I just not give up? Why do I take the abuse, the fuss, the mess, the confusion, the paranoia, the inconclusive waste?

Why do I look to others in my time of need? Why do I bother to ask? Why

Why am I still not satisfied, after being stepped on, cheated and cursed? Why do I envy the unknowing? Why do I tread this line of unconsciousness? Why do I saver the bitter taste?

Why do I not look to and listen to my open heart, when nothing else seems to beat?

Furousha

Homeless stories from Tokyo.

The area of Sanya, located in the Taito ward of Tokyo, is home to one of the largest populations of homeless, or 'Furousha' in the city of Tokyo. Throughout Tokyo's history, the area now called Sanya, located in the east of Tokyo was a no go area, and during the Edo period was where prisoners were sent to be executed. The modern Sanya was created after World War II, when Tokyo's homeless were sheltered there in the ever growing number of blue refuge tents.

Outcast and neglected from society, many of these individuals have found refuge in many areas around the parks and train stations of the city, but seem primarily to have found solice and some sense of community in this unique oasis of Tokyo. Where many of them, previous day laborers, came to seek work. Government estimates put the total number of people sleeping on the streets at well over 300 people every night, just in the Sanya area.

The one strip of road, running near Minami Senju train station, is completely over run with people sleeping rough, primarily men but also a few women. Often a couple hundred people gather under the shelter of the old arcade shopping strip, overlooked by a constant police presence.

Most of the people I met, were all very friendly, hospitable and accommodating, but had given up an existence within formal society, for whatever their individual reasons. Alcohol abuse is high and mental illness and sickness seem to be a large problem due to their choice of lifestyle.

There are a few organizations providing support, primarily government subsidiaries, NGO's, local christian aids and charities who periodically provide soup kitchens, hand out blankets and clothing and try their best to cope with the ever increasing number of people fleeing to the streets.

The problem is a largely neglected issue in Japan which just seems to be completely overlooked by the government and swept beneath the ever growing blanket of the current recession.

Shape in a moving world

Placing squares in triangle boxes.

Ideas come from the world around us and are shaped by our own experiences to form new learning. From the lines and contours of the branches of a tree twisting in the wind, to the moulded lines of expression on a persons face. The way we perceive shape is the way we relate to our world and how we communicate within it.

Tempus Fugit

The snow is again melting as the signs of change present themselves in simple ordered matter. As the young grow old, the old ceases to live and provides the knowledge to progress the young which in turn passes this onto the living. Nothing lasts forever.

Stepping through the Looking Glass

Only a few steps into the tunnel you can feel the shift in the swirl of images that transport you from past to future. Separated by two semi circular doorways, gleaming lights illuminate the shadowy interior from the darkness and echoing shadows. On one side the crumbling reality of forgotten ideas, on the other, the once gypsy camp now transformed into an amalgamation of contemporary fantasy and old world traditional. Your perspective changes as you move through the light flares until the light ceases and the darkness overwhelms.

Eastern Promise

On returning from a break away from the pressures of work, commitment and city life I have arrived back in exactly the same world that I left over six weeks ago before I set off for Japan. The experience was an overwhelming emotional and physical journey of learning and discovery and opened my eyes to not only a world and people away from that to what I had come so accustomed to, but also a number of issues and bugs in my system that I had to address.

Time for reflection is key to realize the importance of perspective and this was evident in my thoughts and feelings throughout my time away.

The journey to Japan, started off in the bright bustling city of Tokyo, which for all its seediness, neon lights and undercover transvestites, showed me a complete alternate view on city life and attitudes. A city is a city by all accounts and it is only its people that truly set it apart from that of another booming metropolis and for a city that is so engulfed in commerce, advertising and shopping culture I was astonished to find how welcoming, interested and friendly people were.

The place is constantly on the go and people seem to work extremely long hours, as can be seen by the sheer amount of people constantly trying to catch up on some shut eye, wherever they can get there heads down, trains, cars, parks, pavement, you name it and somewhere is there grabbing a little more zzz's before the time sheet has to be clocked once again. I even had to run up to a guy fast asleep at the wheel of his car, at a busy intersection, stopped on a red light. He was oblivious to all the honking and hooting of all the people waiting behind him and after tapping softly at his window, I was reduced to shouting and banging on the window, before his eyelids slowly peeled back to reveal a crazy, bearded, 'gaijin' holla'ing at his window for him to move. He proceeded on as if nothing had happened, as did the rest of the city.

Sing a song of six pince

'my armour is contempt. My shield is disgust...'

'40K'

Humans must develop a sense of contempt, disgust and hatred for the indifferent, so that humanity can survive without impurities.

Open the curtains and let the light in

2010

a great time to start.

I feel mad with myself, but this is the start of something new.

I hope this feeling can build into something great.