Stefan's answers

Our favorite designer got a new website with some advices for all of us.

mochi-pounding

version 2.0

Lazy Sunday

I wake up in the late afternoon, Ota San went to office again like usual. I am on my own today, by the time I walked out from home the sky is getting dark. Wandering around Nagano city, its a small town and most of the interesting places are in walkable distance.

- interesting old signage

- the shop owner must be a big fans of Michael Jackson. It's been showing MJ's videos from the first day I arrived Nagano, and now it's still showing with 3 TVs on even the shop is closed. You're not alone.

Finally found a quiet cafe and walk in to have a coffee and do some thinking. Yes, do some thinking. My brain simply doesn't work when I'm doing other stuff, e.g. when I'm facing computer, reading books, visiting exhibition, walking. I can only think in a quiet place with notepad and pen, maybe my brain is getting rusty.

Day 5

Ota san and me were having a lunch meeting today about the design concept for Sato Kensaku's flyer, Orie san from 1166 backpacker hostel was invited to be our translator, otsukaresama deshita. Thanks to Orie San we were able to understand each other better. Arigatou Orie san!

We decided to go to D&Department again to do some shopping after the lunch. Once we step out of the restaurant we bump into Aya San and her cute baby daughter Minori chan, they had some chat and then Aya san and Minori chan also joining us to D&Department.

- Aya san and super kawaii Minori chan.

One of the nice thing about Nagano is that it's such a small city and everyone seems to know each other, you may meet someone you know on the street any time, and everyone is incredibly friendly. There is a Farmers Market going on in D&Department, produced by another great design studio from Nagano - Todoroki, they made beautiful packaging design to promote importance of local agriculture, and also demonstrating mochi-making in front of D&Department.

- Mr.Todoroki.

- keep pounding and pounding.

- itadakimasu!

There's a special guest came to the office this evening. Yoshinori Sato (佐藤嘉風) is having a live performance in Kanematsu. The music is so smoothing and therapeutic, I do not understand the lyrics but his voice does make us feel warm at heart. Such a pleasant evening~

- 佐藤嘉風, 岡崎恵美 live in Kanematsu.

- Ota the laser face.

The night is still young. Later after the show Ota san and me went for DJ Kawasaki's performance. I'm not really into clubbing, just want to check out how's Nagano clubbing scene. It was all good... ja, oyasumi nasai with a Yoshinori's song.

Beautiful day

This is such a wonderful day.

We went to Togakushi this morning, a village not too far away from Nagano city, to have a meet with client. The way to Togakushi is already covered by snow, the scenery is marvelous! For a person from tropical country, we'll always go crazy whenever we see snow.

After the Soba lunch, we visited great Taiko drummer Mr.Sato Kensaku (佐藤健作) to meet about the promotional items for his next performance. Sato san performed on the spot for both of us, so we can get a better picture and inspiration about Taiko. The traditional drum's beat is far more louder than I expected, every single beat is like hitting straight into our heart, you can probably have a brief look at Sato san's amazing performance here.

Before going back to the office, Ota san and me went for Onsen. This is the 3rd time I went for Japanese hot springs during my trip in Japan, and each time is with different Japanese guys I met along the way, so I'm not feeling that awkward anymore being naked in front of other guys, instead it was really relaxing.

The day get dark earlier during winter time, the sun is setting when we heading back to start our works for today. It's a blessing to be able to work in such beautiful place, and doing what you like in such place is a complete happiness, I think I'm already fall in love with Nagano...

Takoyaki Party

We were having a takoyaki party at 1166 backpacker hostel yesterday night, I've made a video to celebrate it.

Day 2

This is a busy day (for Ota san), when I arrived office this morning, he has already been there working for few hours, such a hard working man!

- good morning Kanematsu.

We then headed to D&Department Project Nagano and had lunch in the cafe downstair. D&Department is a nice concept store, carrying timeless products, retro furniture, household goods, used books and CDs, and even published their own travel guide books. On top of that they also produce various design projects time by time. I've been lucky enough to be able catch their exhibition - 'Only honest design can be recyclable.' in Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Design Gallery 2 weeks ago :D

- D&Department Project Nagano.

- D&Travel Cafe Nagano.

- setting up Saunter's signboard.

Soon after the lunch Ota san carry on with his works, checking the setup of Saunter Salon's signboard, meeting client, change tires, and then meeting with another client, after that still have to go back office and work until late night.

I couldn't help much but just tag along with him. I'm so impressed by the hard work and efficiency of a Japanese, how can a man do so many things by himself in one day... I have to work harder from now on.

人生はまだ驚きに満ちている

I'm having 2 and a half months holiday in Japan until 5th of January, didn't think of blogging about my trip so soon, the thought was changed after I met a graphic designer during my short trip to Nagano, Mr.Ota Nabuyuki (Manz design).

Ota san is living beside the backpacker hostel I was staying, the owner of 1166 Backpacker Hostel introduced me to Ota san, we share the same interest and later I visited his office - Kanematsu. He is sharing a very old but awesome warehouse office with other architect and editor partners. Everyone was unbelievable friendly, I was so amazed by the interior as well, it's definitely one of the dream studio for me.

Soon after that trip, I wrote an email to Ota san to ask whether I can work with him for a short while, he agreed and even offer a room for me to stay, Subarashii~ So 2 weeks after that I came back to Nagano, working with a Japanese designer. We doesn't speak same language, the only language we both sharing is graphic design. I'm really looking forward for what I'm gonna meet next, no matter what I think it's going be an unforgettable experience.

Now I'm here and the first task he gave to me is, to blog about what I've experienced in Nagano everyday... So for the following 3 weeks I'll constantly update my blog, and also in Manz's blog.

Amazing things happened when you take one step out of your comfort zone. Let's see what happen next, Gambatte masu!

- 1166 backpacker hostel.

- tempura party in 1166.

- me in Ota's office :)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

So, here's my 1st blog post in Manz Day book:

"Hajimemaste.

Hello Minasan, Konnichiwa~ This is Driv, a graphic designer from Malaysia. I've just quit my job recently and having a long holiday traveling around Japan. I met Ota San in a very rare circumstances and end up I'll be working with him for few weeks in Nagano. I'm always fascinated by Japanese graphic design, I believe this is going to be an amazing experience.

Thank you so much Ota San, you are so kind! Let's do some good works together, Gambatte masu! "

- Ota san, Manz Design.

Fading Vision

然后我们一起奋斗过，

呐喊过疯过癫过笑过哭过，

然后沉淀，妥协，各走各路。

然后热诚不见了，

所以到处寻找，

不在德国，不在日本，不在哪里，

它在自己一直想逃避的地方，

不想面对的地方，

它在自己的心里面。

追求的东西像根羽毛，

越用力抓越抓不到，

等到有一天能真正停下脚步，

闭上眼，摊开手，静静聆听，

然后它就会飘落在手心里。

婚礼的祝福

2010是最多身边朋友结婚的一年，

摆酒加上只是注册的，至少十个以上。

首先是祥伟, Tian Xing, 然后Tara, 到启文，

Ellie, Janet, 君姐, Gen等等，

就连爆冷门的芳哥也竟然闪电嫁了出去。

结婚的结婚，生仔的生仔，买楼的买楼。

看着朋友们都纷纷踏入人生第二个阶段，

那令人羡慕的淡淡的幸福感,

没办法不觉得自己还像个小孩般活着，

无论如何祝福你们，

执子之手 白头偕老。

Everything unknown is beautiful.

Finally quit my job and I feel much relief nowadays, can't wait till my last day and get away from this uninspiring lifestyle, I find it's pointless when the job becomes a repetitive daily routines. Been working in the industry for few years and this time I decided to give myself a long break before I move on for next job.

Not sure what is going to happen being jobless, no objectives, no incomes, but I'm so happy to open myself to a totally uncertain future, somehow it is exciting in a way. We have enough of stupid politicians, materialists, conformists in the society. Life is too short for doing the exactly same things like everybody else does.

Let's breath some fresh air, do whatever we want to do, go wherever we want to go, spent all our saving, go wild, go crazy, go get a life and a fucking big television~

the things we forget

最近连续看了几部很香港的香港电影，好久不见这类生活化的港产片了。志明与春娇是现代的年轻的，月满轩尼诗是平淡的中年生活，而岁月神偷就是纪念爸爸妈妈那个年代的。 三部都很喜欢，从小看着香港的文化长大我觉得自己其实已经是半的港仔了。

看完岁月神偷感触最多，喊死我了 T_T 戏里面唤醒了很多被遗忘了的童年回忆，亦都提醒了我其实还有一个哥哥。在外多年甚少回家，我哥哥也有了他自己的家庭，见面时也不过问候几句可能连普通朋友都不如。不知不觉的我竟然忘了我还有一个血浓于水的哥哥，那个小时候睡同一张床，一起在露台冲凉，一起被爸妈打，我考试他陪我开夜车，怕我结交坏朋友会对我朋友问话的哥哥⋯

爸爸妈妈的年代都很穷，每一天就是要担心明天有没有饭吃，得闲死不得闲病。爸爸常常跟我说他小时候要翻跟斗做小丑大人们才给他吃一个茶果的故事⋯ 那种一天不挣钱就活不了的想法，是我们这一代人永远不能体会的。因为这种艰难的生活人与人必须互相依赖一起熬过去，亲人朋友的关系都因此比较贴近。

现代人的基本生活条件变得方便快捷，至少一个普通人基本上不必担心明天会饿死先⋯ 肚子饿了可以叫外卖，不想出街可以网上购物。生活变容易了，人就越来越懒。看到很多年轻一辈，走两步说累了要搭的士，吃雪糕要Haagen Dazs，饭都不会煮但是经常要去好的餐厅cafe, 不想做家务就请个工人。生存的定义不同了，人的本质也改变了，最讨厌用钱就可以解决问题的心态，连作为一个人最基本的生存本能都没有。如果活在爸妈的年代，他们应该第一个饿死街头然后尸体还要拿去喂狗。

看完电影很伤感又开始想家了，想打个电话给哥哥问候声但还是不好意思。家人朋友的关系在不知不觉间已变得疏远。 唉，有一些东西我们不应该忘记⋯