兩年後

在的還在，不在的不在，
想它在的不在，想它不在的在，
會在的始終會在，
不在了永遠不在，
其實，我们都已經不在。

Go Mad and Mark

看gigs已经成为我生命中不可缺少的一部分。每当沉淀的时候，没劲的时候，一场好的演出总能够给我精神一阵，继续冲刺的力量。看着独立乐队尽情挥洒着乐器演奏属于他们的音乐他们的声音，我都会有一股莫名的感动，然后觉得自己还在一个很渺小很遥远的位置，然后提醒自己还要继续努力，继续疯狂，为生命留下印记⋯

继续 MONO

已经不记得这是第几次看MONO的演出了。对于这支乐队，有着太多记忆犹新的回忆和故事，在他们的音乐里隐藏着自己的成长经历，每一次单独的出走都少不了MONO的音乐。不管听多少次还是一样感触，还是一样会落泪⋯

SoundScape 10th Anniversary.

we are not lie.

So I'm officially started my one man studio - LIE, most of the news about my works will be posted in LIE's blog instead, LIE's website is still in construction so it might looks empty. This blogspot will remain personal, which means it will become less and less active - _ - Who is still reading blogs anyway...



And this is our very first charity project called I>JPN. Read more in www.wearenotlie.com/news

唔知今日既日落會係點既呢

以前, 以為有種雀可以一開始就飛飛到死果日先會落地,
其實佢邊度都無去過, 隻雀仔一開始就已經死左⋯

Experimental.01

was bored at home, let's make something.

fg.1

fg.2

fg.3

fg.4

fg.5

our shredded world.

Danny Boyle on 127 Hours

"This is a film about how precious life is. And it's only precious because of other people. It's not precious in itself, which is what we sometimes think - we think the will to survive is an individualistic thing. ... But it's actually connected to other people. And that's what the life essence is really about - it's always about other people, even in the loneliest places."

Satu Malaysia

On 15 July 2009, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) took Teoh into custody for questioning about allegations of corruption. Teoh was found dead the next morning on the rooftop of a building adjacent to the MACC offices...

Epilogue

If you ask me where is the best tourist spot in Japan I'll probably wouldn't recommend Nagano city, it's not as popular as other famous tourist destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, Hokkaido, etc. Nagano city or Monzen is just a modest little town with a lot of temples around. Some people might find it less interesting or even boring. The things that make it so different for me is all the good people I've met, and it makes it my favorite place in Japan.

The very first person I must thank is Orie san, the owner of the backpacker's hostel, all these wouldn't happen without you and the wonderful 1166. I was told that the hostel is just opened less than a month when I first arrived, I'm not a superstitious person but I think there might be some sort of fate that connected all this together. Orie san told me that she was just moved in to Nagano city not long ago, but she felt that Nagano is her hometown already. Yes, Orie san I feel the same too. I believe 1166 will getting better and inspired more people from all over the world, I'll miss you too.

And of course, arigatou gozaimasu Ota san. You must be very tired, having to work for long hours everyday and taking care of a lazy foreigner in the meanwhile, thanks for everything. We getting to know each other better during the 3 weeks without speaking same language, from a complete stranger, to friend, to good friend and hopefully business partner in the future. I believe we'll still work closely together and have more chance to see each other, so I'll not miss you, haha. 男は黙ってサッポロビール！(I guess it's simply means: real man don't complain, and drink Sapporo Beer on his own.) Ota san said it's the Just Do It spirit for Japanese people. Thanks for the phrase, I'll remember it for lifetime.

I've gained a lot during this trip, my wallet is empty but my heart is full. I've seen a young lady who running a hostel on her own, working everyday from 7am-12am non-stop without complain. A guy who didn't studied graphic design but able to run his own design studio from top to toe. They are giving 100% in doing what they like to do, and bit by bit slowly contributed back to the neighborhood as well. Everyone in Monzen is enjoy doing what they are good at, and influence each other to be better everyday, I hope to see such positive energy in Malaysia community as well.

I've been trying to run away from Malaysia because I think it doesn't have potential for a designer to grow. But after the trip It makes me feel that maybe I should start thinking of what to give to the community instead of waiting for it to give me something, maybe I should give more love to my native land... should I?

Ota san and me were trying to do a collaboration project together, of course it's definitely just for fun and will not earning any money at the first stage, but I hope it can be done and lead to something good in future, let's not talk about things that haven't realized for now.

I'm looking forward for the next challenging year already, with all the blesses from you all in Nagano, I'm sure everything is gonna be fine :) And so it's ended my full time blogger project, I'm not a good writer and really slow in writing, always feel reluctant to reply long emails and Q&A. It takes me whole day to finish the last 3 blog posts.

Will try to do less talking and more working from now on. So at last, I've attached the lyrics of the last song you guys make me sang in the Karaoke the other night. Happy new year.

"...We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving. There's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives, It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me. "

The warmest place on earth

- The story begins from 1166 backpackers hostel.

I'll be heading back to Tokyo at 4pm. Didn't talk much and taking photos today, maybe I was getting tired from last night party or simply just not in a good mood. We have our last pasta lunch in cafe toque toque with friends from 1166, then went for mochi pounding session right in front of nanographica. There are plenty of delicious mochi free for everybody, it was pretty cold and snowing out there but the young and old still gathered around to participated in it. I'm so jealous of the friendly neighborhood and simple lifestyle in Monzen (the area surrounding Zenkoji).

- Off you go.

- Backpackers no mina san.

The snow makes the departure slightly melancholy. We took some more group photos in front of the hostel and then Ota san drove us to the bus station. Ota san and Yamada san stood in the snow for about 10 minutes until our bus left. I felt so sorry, you guys are just being too kind.

For all you great people in Nagano I will miss you all and will definitely come back again as often as I could. Take good care Nagano no Mina san, you all makes Monzen the warmest place on earth. Ganbaro!

- 男は黙ってサッポロビール！

- Omamori from Zenkoji.

- 街並み， 長野門前暮らしのすすめ, ザ・ドリフターズ (The Drifters) photo, and postcard by nonoko. (I never know you're such talented illustrator before this.)

- Blessing from 1166 no mina san, I will try to understand all the Japanese words on it without checking translator one day.

忘年

This is my second last day in Nagano. We went to check out an old kindergarten (長野中央幼稚園) in the morning with Kuraishi and Kei san from Bonnecura. According to Kei san the kindergarten will not be occupied anymore since the building is getting too old and will be demolished in few years time. They are planning to renovate the space and reuse it as a gallery, shop or something. I loves old and antique stuff, and appreciate the way of Japanese preserve their own culture and historical objects, they always make good use and find a good place for this classic old design.

- Custom-made wooden blocks, simple and great toy design for kid.

- Orie san's figure made by her puppeteer parents.

- Mari chan stealing wooden tea tray from Nanographica.

A good friend of mine Mari chan from Tokyo came to visit us in the afternoon. We had lunch in Hiyori and had great conversation thanks to Orie san, our caring translator. I became a tour guide and show Mari around Monzen area, the naughty Mari chan made snowman in front of the sacred temple... And then I brought her to nanographica, which I think is one of the best cafe gallery, shop, studio in Nagano. The monthly photography magazine, machinami 街並み which produced by them are simply beautiful. Too bad the cafe was closed but we manage to steal some free gift in their front door.

Joined Bonnecura's bonenkai 忘年会 at night. It was a bit dreamy and unreal to see most of the people I've met during the past 3 weeks gathered around together in a tiny restaurant, it's kinda like a movie flash back when I saw all the nice people from Bonnecura, todoroki design, Hiyori cafe, country-press, ultra-L (Hara san's office), great chef and owner of the Italian restaurant Komatsuya, etc. It's so amazing that all the talented people from different fields are friends and knew each other.

Ota san presented a pair of Tshirts that he designed quickly yesterday for me as a souvenir. Well, It's a bit gay to have both of our face on the T-shirt but it makes the best gift for my stay in Nagano. Arigatou! I'm really appreciate it!

- Wild people in the Karaoke.

- Ota san with our memorable Tshirt.

It was my last night here of course they won't let me go home so easily. We went for midnight karaoke session, the good and gentle people I used to know suddenly become different at night... jumping around and shouting like a mad person. Yeah~ work hard and play harder, that's the spirit!

Three weeks

Time flies. It's already the third week I'm here and I can't believe I'm going to leave in 2 days' time. To me this trip has been the most meaningful and amazing experience throughout the year, it makes me feel that I didn't wasted my 2010, and it was a right decision to go for this long vacation.

Today is a quiet day, Ota san didn't have much meetings and presentations to rush for, so we spent most of our time in the office. He show me old photo of him in dreadlocks, the photo was taken about 10 years ago, Kakoii guy. We had some more discussion about our collaboration, and finally we lock down our project name and rough direction. Alright! Let's make things happen.

We went to Shimi san house for dinner again, it was kind of like a farewell dinner for me. Thank you Shimi san and family! This is the first time I have noodles in ice, Oishii. I hope I can come back to visit you all again in near future, please take care and stay happy everyday.

- Great Teenage Ota.

- Super Ai chan at work.

- Icy Somen.

- Happy family.