[nokonoko journal] December 5, 2020

Fkj & Bas - Risk

My music app told me that I listened to 92 genres this year. 

How many are there...?

EKN #39: Nightfly

 

Donald Fagen - I.G.Y.

EKN #38: embers

 

Zero 7 - Outline 

Listen from here

[nokonoko journal] August 25, 2020

Vansire - That I Miss You

[nokonoko journal] Won't be the same

Flour is finally back in store shelves, signs of "1 item per household" are diminished, and it's becoming normal routine to wear masks and spray hand sanitizer whenever we go into the stores. Now, almost all the stores (including convenience stores and banks) here have spray at the entrance.

We see temperature self-check point at the mall entrance and current congestion rate is announced and shown with live camera. Addition to "Wait Here" floor signs to promote social distance, elevator floors are segmented. And we follow these naturally.

I could go to a hair salon the other day. They had entrance doors wide open for ventilation, checked my temperature and sanitize my hands, and (although they said it's optional) I wore a mask while they fix my hair. The salon was cheerful mood though, as if people were all hungry for a chat in person. (Me and my hairdresser were talking whether we wear makeup under a mask.)

These are few examples, but so-called "new standard" is definitely being established in our life.

Whether you are still in lockdown or similar status or finally allowed to go buy non-essential items, please remain cautious.

Now I'm making a list of things I should stock up for next winter... before I forget...

Sanitized / Used shopping carts

Cherry Blossom 2020

This was filmed in early April.

About a week before some of our prefectures went into the state of emergency.

(Don't worry or don't get upset... It's in the countryside, and I made sure there's no one around...)

Flower blooms no matter what's happening in the world

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan live-streamed their session for students.

Dutch National Opera & Ballet shares their daily barre class.

An established bakery started online sourdough workshop (10+ lessons, in reasonable price).

Musicians share home listening playlists and intimate concert from their living room.

Some libraries prepare "surprise bag" so that people can just pick up and enjoy random-selected books.

Mean restaurant and bars started seriously cool takeout menu (full course from entrée to dessert...).

Cafes started to sell "coffee ticket" so that customer can support the store while closing.

This is certain; Creative people are creative no matter what situation they're in.

I am truly amazed, inspired and encouraged by these people on a daily basis... thank you, and also big thank you for people working really hard under this tough conditions. 

If the world can be saved by just staying in, what do you do?

I'm trying to save the world by tackling time-consuming recipes for starters, and maybe organizing thousands of bookmarks on browsers.... (ah, this will take long..)

a part of my stay in kit

Morning Routine

Bridge

(1)

You and I have different native languages.

You don't speak my mother tongue, I don't speak your mother tongue, so we meet halfway and speak English, my second and your second or third language.

We talk, we argue, we exchange ideas, we joke, we cry, we laugh.

We seem to be able to communicate. And I like you.

Then your phone rings, it's from someone who shares your first language.

"Excuse me," and you start talking in your mother tongue.

Suddenly, you become like a different person.

Different language, different intonation, different pitch.

I feel more natural flow and confidence in your voice.

You sound more emotional, more chatty, and more controlled.

"....OK!"

Then you hung up the phone, and you get back to the person I know.

(2)

You and I have different native languages.

You don't speak my first language, but I speak your first language as a second language, so we speak English.

We talk, we argue, we exchange ideas, we joke, we cry, we laugh.

We seem to be able to communicate. And I like you.

Then your phone rings, it's from someone who shares your first language.

"Sorry," and you start talking.

Suddenly, you become like a different person.

Your pace gets faster, you use different range of vocabulary.

You switch from world standard English to your vernacular English.

I feel more natural flow in your voice.

You sound more emotional, more chatty, and more relaxed.

"....OK!"

Then you hung up the phone, and you get back to the person I know.

* * *

I know that the personalities are not defined only by words. And I do understand that our message can go beyond languages, and that strong words and texts cannot lose its meaning and power by translations (when it's done sincerely).

But I can't help but wish... if only I could understand you in your mother language. And, if only you could understand me in my mother language.

All the nuances, puns, rhymes, cultural and local and generational references and jokes. I wish we could communicate with all these elements, as if we put the Babel fish in our ears, or as if we ate Honyaku-Konnyaku.

Whenever I face the situation like (1) and (2), I recognize there's this unfillable gap between us. I feel sad, despair... and a drive in me.