Scription

Finally Mr. Spring-Tree-in-a-Village's book came out in Chinese.  I was kind of waiting for the English version, you know Murakami thinks in English when he writes, but I need to get away from my world badly lately, so I got 1Q84 today anyhow.

1Q84 Today

While Aomame was listening to Janáček's Sinfonietta in an almost sound proof taxi, I was shielding myself from the disturbance of quietness with spa music playing through my over-the-head headphone.  I was stuck on page 3 because of the most long lasting and satisfying sensation of scratching an itchy spot over my lower left leg.  To be exact, it is where the anterior tibia muscle is, exactly 12 inches from the bottom of my left foot, .... ok you don't want to know but I'll continue in another direction.

Scratch my brain

This itchy spot started to appear a few years ago, doctor said it was not caused by fungus and its temporary, he prescribed antibiotics ointment, the itch keeps coming back however.  One day I had an epiphany, the spot appeared for a reason perhaps psychosomatic.  Suddenly I remember in my boy scout days I always hurt this area of my leg during outings.  In one particular instant, I was crossing a river stream over large rocks, I slipped and my left leg was stuck between two rocks under water.  That exact spot hurt like hell for almost a year.  Even though fully recovered, I carry the pain and shamefulness of not being fit enough for activities so common for young boys.  I didn't give up though, eventually became a troop leader and instructor.

That itchy spot now was the "painful" spot so light and seems insignificant yet lingering.  Today that spot lingers as a sign of distress and at the same time a relief mechanism I can make use of.  I use it to reduced brain activity in areas associated with unpleasant sensory experiences and memories, I made it a bodily chronic itch for the benefit of scratching away problems, scratching to the point of drawing blood to relief.

1984 was the year I began the transformation from self-doubt.  3 pages of 1Q84 brought me back to the parallel realms I was so good traveling across.

(google "why scratching feels good" and go deeper)

We've been wanting to produce a Moleskine gift box for Xmas for a few years now and this year it became a reality.  Xmas in our stores are so crowded people have difficulty choosing products, our purpose has always been trying to reducing the think-time by creating gift sets good enough for gift exchange and proper gifting at various price range.

Moleskine surprise box

This is where model making, stationery and craft meet.  Gakken's Otona no kagaku (大人の科學) magazine volume 25 is all about twin-lens reflex cameras, you get to make one yourself and read about their history and shooting techniques in 98 pages all for HK$300 ( and even cheaper in Japan at 2,500 yen), what a bargain comparing to the inflated prices of typical toy cameras!  I was surprised to find this being sold in 7-11 last Thursday and immediately grabbed one.  I had so much fun this weekend assembling it, customizing it and play with it.

Gakkenflex

The kit also comes with two stickers in different styles so you can customize its look instead of settling with a black camera.  I decided to use MT masking tapes to do the trick though.  Assembling the camera takes about 30 minutes but I slowed myself down to enjoy the whole process more.

Gakkenflex

If you've bought this but you don't read Japanese, fuzzyeyeballs' ndroo made an English interpretation of the assembly based on his experience doing it.  You can probably make it by just reading the diagrams but there are a few places you may get stuck so reading his guide helps.

Gakkenflex

The best thing with Gakkenflex is that it has a real viewfinder which allows you to focus accurately.  You don't get a hot shoe, a film counter, a film advance knob which stops winding when next frame is reached and an aperture control, as you would find from BBF.  But the true viewfinder made a big difference and impression on me.

Gakkenflex - decorated with MT masking tapes and line drawing

Gakkenflex - decorated with MT masking tapes and line drawing

After the assembly, I chose to customize it right away with MT masking tape.  This is a relatively inexpensive way to customize anything.  The washi paper is easy to cut after its being put on the camera body, just use a cutter, follow the contour  and 20 minutes later its done.

Gakkenflex - decorated with MT masking tapes and line drawing

Next I used Uniball Signo white roller ball to draw some flora patterns around the knob.  Signo ink doesn't stay strong on surfaces other than paper, but I love the fact that it will soon give a distressed look of the camera.  Besides, if I want a new pattern I can just easily put on some more masking tapes and draw again.

Gakkenflex - homemade leather strap

Lastly, this light weighted TLR deserves a thin leather strap so I added with ease.  I took this lovely camera out for the day but because of the rain and poor lighting, I only took one photo.  I'm expecting to see some awesome vignettes and lensbaby like effects. Visit Gakken flex / 大人の科学マガジン付録二眼レフ flickr group to see who the photos look like, or my Gakkenflex Customized flickr set for more photos of the finished camera.

Gakkenflex - decorated with MT masking tapes and line drawing

Boy doesn't it look great with my Saddleback Leather briefcase?  You don't have to tell me.

It's time to gear up for lots of store visits, there will be a lot of layout changes, one more new store and multiple phases of Xmas promotion happening from this week onward.  My gears will change from office setting (mind.depositor, Moleskine diary, fountain pen, calculator, camera) to field setting (pocket Moleskine, camera).

Gear up with Moleskine

One of the indispensable tool is this "Holder for M" from Vintage Revival Productions.  It is an ingenious two piece product made from a combination of leather and denim label material.  One piece acts as a holder which allows you to insert your M into your jean's back pocket (8,800 yen), the other is a pen holder (4,500 yen).  Both pieces are looped so that you can slide to the front and back cover of you M easily without permanent damage.

Moleskine Holder - on the go

Where did I found this you asked?  It was last July when I thought I was having the last meeting of a business trip in Tokyo, Mr. Doi from Sweetroad (a great store to visit mind you) told me about Mr. Iwata and his shop Iwata Denki.  I had to rush to that store in Setagaya before it's closed.  Full of sweat and unable to communicate in Japanese, I was signing and nodding a lot and had a great "conversation" with Iwata san, a designer himself, who published 2 design books called GOALD (goal of design), and constantly working to create new products.  Do visit Iwata san's blog to get a glimpse of his works and product collections from his friends.

Iwata Denki shop - Iwata san holding his leather M skins

Iwata Denki shop - Iwata san's leather goods

Iwata san made some very nice leather Moleskine covers.  They are like stickers, only in leather, which are removable and probably can last several uses when you change your Moleskine.  I was about to buy the brown snake skin embossed or the wood imitation cover but too bad they were out of stock.  He also made those cute little leather photo clips which look like smileys, they are put into recycle film cans and sold in stores like Tokyu Hands and Loft.

Iwata Denki shop - Vintage Revival Productions' Holder for M

Iwata san was very keen to show me his collection of great products in the shop, wooden iphone case, his leather credit card holder, coin pouch etc.  "Holder for M" was the one thing I got from his shop, then I was out of cash in Tokyo :)

So if you are going to Tokyo, I suggest you to dig up these interesting small shops to go, it is far more rewarding as a journey.  As for myself, the connection and sense of discovery always give me the thrill.

Story about Cats and Dogs

Xmas to me for the past 6 years has been a gradual build up of pressure and anxiety because of work.  After yet another day of number crunching I reached home finding a surprise in our guest restroom.  I would've expected a lonely cat or dog lurking around in the house if it wasn't our restroom, the only culprit here must be Olgua.  I was furious for a few seconds and click..... I switched to story telling mode, about dogs and cats at home and why they do things they do because nobody clip their nails etc.  Then it was the plead to tell yet more bed time stories.  I must remember that flick of switch, to turn anger into stories, to turn anxiety into something creative.  It shouldn't be a positive reinforcement of bad behavior or emotion if the subject can grasp the good intention behind given a review is done, and it is no surprise and a pity that this works best with children, 'mature' people just have too much pride to see things through.

"What?" You asked.

GTD the KOLO Way

GTD the KOLO Way

GTD the KOLO Way

Whether it is digital or analog, mini cameras are the most trendy thing happening in the industry.  Digital Minox, Rollei, Diana mini, Digital Harinezumi (just released new white edition), etc.  They are all in this tiny little promotion happening in Festival Walk and APM LOG-ON.

Mini Camera Promotion - Festival Walk and APM LOG-ON

Mini Camera Promotion - Festival Walk and APM LOG-ON

Mini Camera Promotion - Festival Walk and APM LOG-ON

Mini Camera Promotion - Festival Walk and APM LOG-ON

The earphone market is getting more crowded these days.  Two years ago a good pair of earphone at about HK$200 was difficult to find, quality earphone often means at least over a thousand HK dollar from names like Shure and Sennheiser.  Now a reasonably good earphone costs only around HK$150 and you get to see so many choices in retail stores.  Earphones like candy indeed.  The price is definitely going down further but I also observe a drop in quality from some of the bigger manufacturers, obviously hurting their brands and allowed some of the new comers to catchup with the market.