if you get past my really nasaly voice and terrible chinglish, you might just enjoy this uber-adorable quick clip. and yes, my dad is singing “song sung blue” as he walks away

ps – i got those yanuk jeans from loehmans a million years ago (when i was “skinnier” but still love them even though they’re too tight). there was a huge hole in the crotch area but i continued to wear them. good thing i have a crafty nai nai

Peg turned me onto the app and I usually check it everyday. Daily “outlooks” are written in such a sophisticated, peculiar style of “chinglish.” On top of relationships, family, and career, there’s usually advice about my kidneys, liver, bile buildup, etc.

ps – I apologize for the shoddy quality. Done last night before bed, plus photographed (I don’t have a scanner, take pity on me). And yes I know the three faces don’t match

One of my job’s perks is not only working with interesting people, but meeting “famous” ones too. For the samurai exhibition media preview, I obnoxiously sidled up to the former Prime Minister of Japan Morihiro Hosokawa for a photo (his family collection comprises the exhibition). I wasn’t planning on it but the opportunity was too ripe.

I can’t comment on his political career, though I know it was a gutsy, distinctive, and short-lived one. It’s impressive that he was the first Japanese leader to publicly acknowledge that World War II was a “war of aggression, a mistaken war.” After his PM stint, he escaped the madness for a quiet, rural, peaceful life with nature and art (pottery), and is now a celebrated ceramicist. Some of his pieces are in the samurai exhibition.

From what I know about Hosokawa, I really dig him. You know how sometimes, people just strike you as chill, peaceful, and loving life for all its beauty? They’re not encumbered with drama or baggage? He seems to be one of them. Since he hails from a line of incredible renaissance men (artistic, poetic, overachieving samurai), maybe it’s just in his blood. He emulates vibes of goodness. This morning, our director said that when he “retired,” he tossed out all his ties, which is why during all the samurai exhibition opening events, he wasn’t seen wearing a single one.

This is a quick piece that sums him up real well, written around his last visit to the museum. In it:

“There’s a phrase in classical Chinese and old Japanese, seikou udoku, which means when the sun is shining, till the fields, and when it is raining, engage in reading,” Hosokawa said through an interpreter. “I was attracted to this type of life from my youth.”

Also — he reminds me of my grandpa. Kinda looks like him and everything.

I had the incredible honor of attending an installment of the Japanese Consulate General’s 2009 Spring Conferment of Decoration for one of the most amazing people i know: Fred Schodt.

Writer, translator, interpreter, intellectual, and all around cool guy, Fred was awarded this prestigious award (“Order of the Rising Sun”) by the Japanese government for awesomeness. He was instrumental in introducing manga and overall Japanese pop culture to the states. Of his many achievements, he and his posse, back in the day, had the balls to approach Tezuka about translating his works. And things blossomed from there.

We brought Fred on board for some work during the Tezuka exhibition two years ago, and it was one of the best things that happened to me/us. Getting to know him, and his fantastic wife Fia, goes down in record as one of my career highlights. (I basically aspire to be like this charming, lovely couple. Their bohemian-without-the-baggage live-and-let-live attitudes are the best)

The evening was superbly pleasant and chill, not weighed down with formalities. The tone was festive and moving. Jared Cook, Steven Okazaki, Takayuki Matsutani (pres of Tezuka Productions), Seiji Horibuchi (pres of VIZ), and many others were there. Watch this vid of Fred and some bandmates busting out a sweet song. The cheery guy in the middle is the president of Tezuka Productions! I just love when the guy busts out his fiddle (?!). And the Consul General is dancing too! Sigh. Happiness.

Fia, Fred, dorky me, and Ryan:

Consul General, Fred’s nephew, Fred’s “honorary son,” Fia, and Fred: