Happy 2007

Fireworks show over Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach, San Diego. I was trying to stay up for it but must've dozed off and the noise fortunately woke me up. There were fireworks throughout the city and I was at a vantage point to see much of it. I also spent the earlier part of the eve with my folks watching the yearly Japanese singing competition between the top male and female singers. It's a huge program, red (for women) against white (for men) and it's quite a production with thousands of extras. This year the men were triumphant. It's always interesting for me to watch and see their costumes. I also like the mix of classical Japanese folk style singing and Japanese rap. This event has been going on for over 50 years.

Happy New Year!

Fishsitting

Though I'm not swimming with fish at the moment, I am fishsitting some gi-normous goldfish.

Suddenly, out of nowhere a big wind storm blew in, SoCal style. Click the photo for a better look.

California Sunset

Here's a shot of the Pacific from across the way looking toward Hawaii for a change. It doesn't look like the same ocean from this side. Here in California whenever I see these calm seas I want to jump in which is my reaction in Kehena, but of course it's a little too cold to do it now. Maybe if I would've brought my wetsuit...

Inspiration

I'm at my sister's house and she has this very cool book. It's huge. I put my coffee cup on it (just for a second) to show the scale. It's a great picture book on Andy Warhol, one of my heroes. He died in 1987. The book has illustrations and designs from his early years and he was always amazing. It was humbling and inspiring for me to go through the book. This is how I'm spending my Christmas Eve. With a good book. I also didn't realize that he was actually older than my parents (he was born in 1928). Somehow, when you're hip it keeps you young. I'm making a note of that, though it might be too late for me.

Mele Kalikimaka

It's Christmas Eve and I'm on the mainland. I just wanted to take this time to wish everyone much happiness and love to all. A good time to remember to do Ramdom Acts of Kindness and keep it up throughout the year. And don't forget to love yourself too. Much aloha, Tuko

Japanese friends come to the gallery

My Japanese friends, Miki and Yumiko came to the gallery and were treated with a visit from fellow artist Esther Szegedy who signed some books for them.

I'm happy to report that the ornament effort wasn't totally wasted. They are actually selling!

Big waves at Kehena

I didn't go in. I tried to shoot a big wave but everytime I had the camera ready to shoot only the medium waves would roll in. Then when a big wave finally came the camera would tell me "card full". I looked to see what was on there and it turned out to be my documentation of every new ornament that Arthur had done. Those dots in these photos are my friends, Kelly and Normand.

Last night was the art show at Kalani where I debuted the Kehena edition ornament, Hawaiian girl on one side and the illo of me with a crashing wave (that I posted earlier) on the other.

Ornaments at the gallery

I finally got my ornaments in the gallery today. Arthur cut one of his Star Pines to make a beautiful Christmas tree.

Rainy day activity

Not that it would actually matter if it was rainy or sunny for this activity but it's been raining nonstop for the past 3 days. Day and night. The monsoon season got a late start but I think it's making up for lost time.

Meanwhile, here are a couple of ornament designs I came up. These designs are being decoupaged on to wood boards that have been sanded and painted. Arthur's friend Niko came to help sand and paint the edges. We had a production line going and it was a fun afternoon and evening.

Update - Recovery

My fins were recovered right away by fellow swimmers and yesterday I got a call saying someone had found my mask and snorkel!