Ringo Gari and BBQ with the Kashiwagis

Saturday, August 16 2008

It was a beautiful day, albeit hot. Atsuko and I cruised on up to Momoyama cho again and met up with Kayoko, Miku, and the rest of the Kashiwagi clan.

A day in Momoyama cho with the Kashiwagis is always guaranteed to be an awesome time, and Saturday was no exception!

This would be Ringo Gari day! (RINGO = apple, GARI = pick)

[apple-picking day]

We hopped into the back of a truck, armed with apple boxes.


Then, we headed down through the orchard, to the Kashiwagi's own tree.

Soon we were enjoying "the fruits of our labor"
The apples were delicious!

Miku was an active picker

In no time, our boxes were full and we hopped back into the little truck.


And we headed back down the mountain a ways.
BUDO (Grape) vinyard

Next, it was time to prepare the BBQ.
Everyone joined in, as always.
There was beef, sweet potatoes, tofu.....

......scallops, octopus, and many more delectable treats!

Ryota kun did dome deep thinking.
As did his big brother Shuta kun.
Shuta got some guidance from his Grandpa (Papa Kashiwagi).
Atsuko jumped into high gear too.
I believe Ryota was thinking;

"These are the best of times"

"We must treasure these moments today, and bask in their warmth tomorrow"

Well put Ryota.

I couldn't have said it better myself!

Thank you for everything Kayoko. See you in New York!

My Last Run Down Teramachi Street

Friday, August 15 2008

It was a fun day, but a sad one too.

We met at our usual haunt, Billboard Restaurant.

Teramachi Street Band has been meeting here for the last 3 years. Here we usually talked about upcoming performances, reflected on past shows, and just shot the shit. Billboard is a 1950's and 60's Americana-style restaurant where you can enjoy yummy burgers and pizza, and also Japanese specialties like curry rice dishes and Jingis Kan. There is also a good selection of beer.

Together we enjoyed all these things like we usually do, but this time the band presented me with going away presents. The 15th was to be my last time together with the band.

After spending a couple of hours at Billboard, we headed off to the same studio we've always rehearsed in. However, on this day we weren't just practicing. We were playing in front of an audience! Because this would be my last effort with Teramachi, band leader Yoko arranged for some of her friends to come down to the studio to watch us. As always I was having an awesome time playing music with the band, but all the while I couldn't help thinking how much I would miss this.

When all was said and done, we had a great time and I will never forget that night or any of my friends from Teramachi.

I hope you'll let me join in whenever I'm back in town guys!

Thank you for three awesome years Teramachi Street Band.

Thank you for everything.

The Crawfords

Between taking pictures of the band on Thursday, I

enjoyed snapping a few of the lovely young family.

Luka chan is getting cuter by the second!

Atsuko and I, along with Greg, BJ, and his girlfiend Miyo, also enjoyed a delicious stew dinner cooked up by Miki .

Thanks again for a great day my friends.

Anything That Shines

Thursday, August 14th

2008

I was called upon by my good mate Greg (Jonny) Crawford, to do a photo shoot for him and his best friend and band mate, BJ.

Greg and BJ have been best friends and band mates for about 20 years.

The up and coming rock sensation goes by the name

Anything That Shines

Before forming this band together in Japan, the duo toured with various rockers in the professional circuit throughout their mother country, Australia. Now a bit older, more mature and seasoned, Greg and BJ have integrated their past musical influences and experiences with a current state of mind.

With their debut album soon nearing completion, they were in need of some photo-art for an assortment of uses.

It was to be my first assignment of this kind.

The two were excellent models.

I look forward to the final product boys!

Thank you for a wonderful experience.

*:.。..。.。o○*:.。..。.。o○*:.。..。.。o○*:.。..。.。o○*:.。..。.。o○*

今回ビルは、元上司であり良き友でもあるグレッグと、その２０年来の親友であるＢＪ（グレッグは和歌山市、ＢＪは御坊市在住のオーストラリア人）が結成しているバンド：Anything That Shines（詳しくはこちら） のフォトシュートにやって来ました　

♪(((*^-^)八(^∇^*)))♪ 　

二人が日本でこのバンドを結成する以前は、たくさんのプロのミュージシャン達と母国であるオーストラリアで全国ツアーをしていました。そして・・・年月が経ち、いい感じに熟したグレッグとＢＪは、過去における経験と現在の関心事を融合させた、という訳です　(p*ﾟｰﾟ)pq(ﾟｰﾟ*q)

そんな彼らのデビューアルバムが近々完成するので、アルバムジャケットの撮影にビルが一肌、二肌脱いだのです。本物モデルもビックリの二人のポーズっぷりご覧下さい　v(≧∇≦)v ｲｪｪ~ｲ♪

*:.。..。.。o○*:.。..。.。o○*:.。..。.。o○*:.。..。.。o○*:.。..。.。o○

Wakayama Summer Sky

The skies over Wakayama the last couple of weeks have been particularly beautiful.

I couldn't help but take some pictures while riding past this tanbo (rice field) in Kii City

引越は大変 (；´Д`A ```

ビルがアメリカに行くまで２週間をきってしまったのに、まだまともに引越準備をしてなかったので、今やっと少しバタバタ。（もちろん！）船便で送る荷物だって、軽く見積もって１０万円弱　ｼｮｯｸ☆<(￣□￣;)>☆ｼｮｯｸ　荷物だってそんなにないのに、それでもあれやこれやとかさばってくる。アメリカから連れてきた私の愛猫のハイディだって、またアメリカに連れて行かんとアカンし。それには検疫証明みたいなものを取得しておかないといけないし・・・。国際結婚は金が飛ぶ飛ぶ。早く落ち着きたい　o(´д`)oｧｰｩｰ