The PowerPoint slide flashed a title we weren’t expecting: “Working in Tranquility: Landscapes, Interiors and the Modernist Corporate Campus.” We’d walked into the wrong lecture. But we shrugged, deciding to stay and see where it led. Later, we had lunch at Blackbook, shown here, where I enjoy spotting the occasional straight couple who’ve wandered in by mistake. Some flee, some stay and relax, others stay and cling closer.
Category: Japanese Concepts
Thames Path Diversion
We’ve all but abandoned the Thames Path, having faced impossible flooding. Instead we renamed our hike The Thames Path Diversion Hike and took a cab to the next inn on the itinerary where we dumped our backpacks. From there we hiked on dry land and in sunshine to William Morris’s country home. Back at our…… Continue reading Thames Path Diversion
Even the Best-Laid Plans…
View of the Thames from our window this morning, swollen and discolored from runoff from recent unusually intense rainfall. We’ve pretty much abandoned the Thames Path, instead finding alternative trails that were usually less flooded and presented fine sights, including traditional thatched cottages. My back muscles tell me tomorrow will be a mandatory day of…… Continue reading Even the Best-Laid Plans…
Turrell’s Light
Imagine my delight finding Sky Pesher, a permanent James Turrell installation, open to the sky, right here in Minneapolis. I first learned about his work while staying on Naoshima Island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea where several pieces by this American artist are on display. My room even had a signed Turrell print on the…… Continue reading Turrell’s Light
The Space Between
After a cuppa at Wise Owl Cafe in the University’s Walter Science and Engineering Library, discovered The Toaster, a room filled with freely available maker gear, including 3D printers, Cricuts and LEGO. Resisted the temptation then walked to the School of Architecture where students were presenting their portfolios displayed on large panels. It was then…… Continue reading The Space Between
A Surprise “Sea Cruise”
Trains were cancelled because of high winds, so I had to change my route to Oita today. I describe the replacement journey in a blog post, A Surprise “Sea Cruise”.
A Surprise “Sea Cruise”
I’d been looking forward to the lovely views from the 8-mile Great Seto Bridge crossing the Seto Inland Sea from Shikoku to Honshu. The thought of my first bullet train ride on this trip to Japan gave me joy. But it was not to be… .
Impermanence
The weather went from no prospect of rain to heavy rain when I took a transit bus up a mountain, through a tunnel, and down the other side. Without a jacket I got soaked, accepted getting wet is temporary, and walked to a non-practicing Buddhist temple. It didn’t have all the features or atmosphere of a practicing temple, but the location was lovely.
The Weakest Link
My bike ride came to an abrupt halt when the rear derailleur locked up. A link in the chain had failed. Pushed my bike two miles to Freewheel Bike, near our home, where bike technician Martin replaced the chain on the spot in five minutes flat.
Not Instagram
Looked down as I walked out of Five Watt Coffee after sipping an Americano.