Archive for January, 2006

January 31st, 2006

“excuse me”

Posted to Behind the Mask

At least four times a day I am involved in or witness a near fatal accedent. It amazes me that so few actually occur.There has to be a different set of rules here written in the minds of the natives that a Westerner could never understand.The people of Japan are skilled bike riders who ride with umbrellas open in driving wind, rain, and snow, talk on cell phones, and are able to transport the most precarious cargo on these two wheeled balance oriented vehicles.Yet what strikes me most about Kyoto street conduct is that the common phrase “excuse me”or “sumimasen” in Japanese is rarely heard.
Perhaps it is the sheer number of encounters with people that causes the omission of this simple courtesy.

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January 30th, 2006

podcasting interviews

Posted to interviews, Behind the Mask, blues

I have succesfully completed my first interview with Shohei Komiya a blues bassplayerwho was born in Japan and later worked in Chicago as a sideman. It will be officially posted just as soon as I figure out how to do that. Interviewing, I have found is much like taking photos. It is important to get […]

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January 28th, 2006

podcasting baby

Posted to Uncategorized

I have just downloaded Audacity and Lame and am ready to start pocasting. I have just set up my first two interviews I will keep you all “posted” ha ha.

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January 23rd, 2006

woah….nice speech

Posted to Media

this speech blew my mind, check it out.its al gore speaking on bush’s wiretapping practices.

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January 23rd, 2006

what key is kyoto in?

Posted to Bamboo and Motorbikes

i am in kyoto and studying the soundscape. i have been wondering what the tonal center of japan.murray shafer writes that in countries running on alternating current at 60 cycles (lights, electric devices, amplifiers) where c is tuned to 256 the resonant frequency is b natural, in european countries it is g sharp. does anyone […]

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