Hello Tokyo!

What day is it? What time is it? No matter – so far so good.

We arrived along at the Japan Airlines ticket counter along with several bus loads of Japanese students – our ticket agent took pity on us and bumped us up to business class, which made for a very comfortable flight over. We negotiated the train from Narita, the transfer to the subway system, a visit to Japan Rail to activate our rail passes and make train reservations, the purchase of a subway fare card and taking the subway (complete with transfers) to our hotel. Which we even found – only walked by it once, as it has no English character sign out front. But, by the process of eliminations (and the fact that it is 10 stories high, outlined in blue neon and the neon does say – 10 stores up ‘Hotel’).  Anyhow – we found it.

Today we took a half day bus tour and then spent the afternoon in Ginza and then in the neighbourhood of our hotel. So much to see, such food to eat! However, it is 8:30 p.m. here, but 4:30 a.m. on our body clocks and it has been a full day. Tomorrow we’re off to Hakone, for the hot springs and a tradition ryoken. And we’re taking the bullet train to get there. So – I’ll try for a more detailed report later.

If you go far enough West – you wind up East

And that’s what we’re going to do. Wilf and I are going to make the long desired (by me at least) trip to Japan. Only one more sleep and I’m very excited! I’ve always wanted to go to Japan – it seems like a country of such amazing contrasts, of serenity and vibrancy, of elegance and the poppiest of pop culture and so much more.

Usually when we plan a trip like this we book some sort of an escorted tour. Not this time – we’re just going. Wilf has booked hotels for us and we have a half day tour of Tokyo to try  and get the layout of the city fixed in our minds. Other than that – we’re going to wing it!

I took advice from Mike and Chris, my globe trotting brother and sister-in-law. They travel for long stretches with a wheeled 20” carry on suitcase. Chris says one of the secrets is one pair of shoes. Shoes are usually my downfall. But, taking her tips into consideration and visiting Mountain Equipment Co-op for some comfy travel pants (woven stretch, water and stain repellant) we’re pretty much ready to go.

We’ve loaded the netbook up with all the tools I think we’ll need and all the hotels claim we’ll have Internet access, so – watch this space for further adventures!

Sayonora!

Does this make it official?

Last night was the ‘Meet the Artist’ night at the Sidney Fine Art Show. The instructions were to show up, but no further instructions were provided. There seemed to be a fairly even split between those artists who where lingering near their work – in case someone had a question  - and those artists who were as far from their work because ACK! someone might ask a question!

I was reading something recently about artist’s statements. It said that artists write a lot about why they make a given piece, and what it means. And most people at shows ask ‘How did you do that?’ That certainly was my experience last night, both in questions I was asked, and in what I overheard.

I like to ask ‘Why did you decide to start this work?’ ‘Did you wind up where you thought you might when you began the work?’ and ‘Is this part of a series or progression of work for you?’

Nosey Parker, that’s me!

One project nears the end….

And all the others begin to crowd in, too.

The bathroom renovation toddles toward its completion. The parade of trades people has ended – we’re still waiting for stuff, but without all the traffic in and out.

The bathtub is waiting for a test drive, as is the shower:

The new cabinet and counter needs a mirror and a light fixture:

And there are lots of accessories to be acquired. However, before that is going to happen there are other fish to fry. Or perhaps I should say – sushi to be eaten. Next adventure – we’re going to Japan!

Details to follow….

I GOT IN!

There. No one can accuse me of burying the lead on this item! I’ll stop shouting now…

Back in January I was thinking about goals for the year. I’ve had the Sidney Fine Art Show in my sights for some time. And I know that the goal ‘Get into the Fine Art Show’ isn’t a realistic one – who knows who the jurors will be or what their criteria will be. I did set myself the goal of  having  a strong piece to enter into the show. Not just the most recently completed piece, not the one that was just good enough. And I was pleased that I accomplished that goal. I have another piece that is good, but not big enough. And a third one that has problems and has since been disassembled for further consideration.

But actually being accepted? Woohoo – whipped cream with a cherry on top time, folks.

I don’t know what the boundaries are around showing work in advance of the show, so I think I’ll wait on posting a picture. However, this is part of on ongoing series, so I’ll show you the first one I did and entered into the Victoria Quilters’ Guild show last year.

Yeah, complete with my toes at the bottom!

p.s. granite counter top arrived today – its gorgeous!

Progress and waiting.

Week 10 of the project begins tomorrow. This past week there was quite a bit of activity – measuring for glass and granite, installation of the cabinet, electrical work and painting. The bathtub is still in the dining room, but the plumbers are coming tomorrow, we’re told, so perhaps that will change.

Excuse the cupboard door in the shower – fresh coat of paint is drying. . . The tiles need to be sealed, and the tub is to be installed along with the tap set and the shower fixtures.

The granite guys are working on the counter top, then the backsplash can go on. The mirror and its frame are in the bedroom, waiting their turn. We went into Victoria on Friday and looked at light fixtures – that is an outstanding task. And somewhere along the way there is a toilet to be installed.

We’re having a run of beautiful Fall weather – sunny and bright with that clear golden light that comes in the Autumn. I made pear-ginger jam from pears from Kristin’s tree and there are enough pears left over for a batch of pear ginger scones. I’m still working on the best scones ever – fortunately I have a willing guinea pig here at the house who will cheerfully polish off all experiments!

Behold – the bionic finger!

Oh, wait. That’s not right….

Ummmm – behold armor for quilters! That’s better. I’ve been working away on my entry for the Sidney Fine Art Show. Many hours of stitching, as the quilt continued to say more, more, more – you can see some of the result in the background. I finally acquired an underthimble to try and spare my poor hamburger like index finger. I wasn’t sure that it a) would stick and b) I’d be able to sense the needle coming through the fabric. Wrong on both counts. In fact the adhesive really really hangs in there – I’m not sure I’ll have any fingerprints left after all this… And I could tell that the needle was through, so all was well.

I got my entry completed – even early, for me. No last minute panic, late nights and last minute dash to beat the clock for the adjudication process. Not that I didn’t put in a lot of hours this week. Perhaps by the end of the week I’ll hear if it was accepted.

There’s been a bit of hurry up and wait with the bathroom project – Alberto ran out of one tile, and when the next batch arrived it didn’t match. That set things back a bit, but the proper tile arrived this past week and Michelle came along to finish the job. Rumour has it that the new cabinet will be delivered tomorrow.

After some decidedly Fall like temperatures and rain this past week Summer (sweet Summer) has made a return visit this weekend. And my Fall crocuses are up!

Colchicum Giant – in the spring the leaves come up – large and strappy. They die back and then one day in the Fall there are these big crocus like flowers standing by themselves in the garden. They naturalize very well and left to their own devices make big drifts of purple. They’re actually a form of lily, not a true crocus. Some years the rains come and beat them down, but this year I’m able to enjoy them in the sunshine.

It is also the time of year for spiders. I’ll just pass over the big wolf spiders that wander through the house, at their peril. Yesterday morning I looked out the kitchen window and had quite a start:

Yep, right in front of the screen this huge spider has spun a huge web. There are spiders and webs everywhere outside – walking in the yard is a rather sticky experience. As long as they stay outside we sort of get along….