July 3

Books/Magazines
I couldn't stop myself. Went to the cafe at the Shirokanedai Book-Off and ended up picking up a couple of books and 3 magazines. Work has been slow and money low but couldn't resist spending ¥1000 for these things.


A look further into the "transhumanist" movement and beyond into "posthumanism". "Posthumanism?" Yes, it seems as though there are millions of dollars being pumped into think tanks, university research departments, etc studying the period after humans have been completely genetically altered and/or merged with machines/computers. Sounds crazy? Yep. I thought so too. But, the more I check into this, the more real it gets. Went to see "Terminator 4" a couple of days ago and I just read some things in Cyborg that were identical to things I saw in the "predictive programming" in the movie.

"We are told almost daily and from many sources that it is impossible for human beings to direct their common life intelligently."
John Dewey - Experience and Education (pg 100)

Wow! Isn't that nice? And I grew up thinking John Dewey was a guru in the American education system. For more info on the background of the education "system" that was installed by corporate America, click on the links below for a shocking interview with John Taylor Gatto.

John Gatto Interview with Alex Jones


John Gatto Interview with Alex Jones (part 2)

I've been having some trouble with night photos. As I scanned this book, I quickly saw a couple of things that I think will help me out with my technique.


Found a few really good helpful bits of information as I read this on the train going home from the store. Great magazine!


Some great articles on yoga. The photography and lay-out of the magazine is beautiful.

June 14

While in the hospital in Baltimore, recovering from a major throat cancer operation, I found myself with a room full of doctors and psychiatrists. I asked them what the big group meeting was all about. Thought maybe they were going to give me my "expiration date." They told me I was going to live but, without the trumpet. At the time, they thought it would be impossible for me to play because of the effects of the operations. I had a few moments to sit there (with all of them staring at me) and think about not making music on the trumpet in the future. After a a couple of minutes I had a very clear realization:

"It's not about the trumpet,
it's about creating."

I found out at that moment that what I really wanted was to create. Realized that I could do that on any instrument, painting, writing, photography, etc. That was a HUGE moment.

Books (New Store)
Went to a new bookstore today in Shirokane. Great used bookstore! Picked-up some books for ¥200 each at Book-Off!





A great book chikung (qigong).

Started checking out Second Life a couple of years ago. Do you know about the 3D virtual world of Second Life? It's a lot of fun! I think a very creative thing.
Second Life
Second Life on Wiki

Cafe
Had a meeting at Ben's Cafe

Event
Went to an event at Pink Cow This a very relaxed, cool space. Good food/drink where you can sit and relax, read, look at art exhibitions, network and see interesting performances (music, writers, artists, designers, etc) almost every night.

Music
Went to Bflat in Akasaka to hear Tim Lyddon. Tim is a new pianist living and working in Tokyo. He recently moved here from New York. You can hear some of his music on Myspace.

Later in the evening, I went to a really fun r&b/funk jam session at Miles Cafe in Ikebukuro. Got a chance to do some playing with some old friends.


Long day but, had a chance to experience a lot of new things today.