Wednesday 31 January 2018

Day 30/365: Done and dusted...

...almost

Last class today, one that has been a bit tricky all year. Should have had about 20 students to make it work but was over-subscribed by a factor of three plus. But, we've made, we're here and now it is just the marking.

But not today. This afternoon I had to head off to one of my research groups, the institute headed by former prime minister Hatoyama who was set to give the opening lecture for the year. That meant leaving a little earlier than usual to make it in time and that also meant that for two days in a row, I could keep that promise to self to get out of the office to take a few pics...and so glad I did...

Tired little camellia (I know the feeling)

Early bloomers 

But wait, there's more

Bunches

Bloomin'

Loner

Everywhere


...we might still be having subzero temps, there might still be snow on the ground (and in the forecasts ahead) but I discovered some early bloomers on the way to the train station today. Plum blossoms most likely, it happens every year. These early bloomers. I might discover them. I am not one of them.

[Camera : Canon EOS M5, 3.57pm-4.00pm; 30 January 2018] 

Day 29/365: Take a walk...

...count the ducks

I mentioned a little while ago, maybe just last week, it all seems like a blur now, that I was hoping the new cam, the EOS M5, with a shorter focal length, was going to force me outside a bit more, take a walk, get some fresh (and we mean *fresh* in this weather) air during a lunch break. 

Well, today, that finally happened. With the last lecture done for Japanese politics, and having been cooped up all day yesterday and with the ducks all in a row (literally, on the water, I could see them from my office) I decided no time like the present to put promise into practice. And off I went. 

And there were plenty of ducks around, the light was that sort of 'just right to be atmospheric' sort of light...

Morning port

Ducks afloat

Just on case; not for decoration

Follow me

All the king's horses...all fall down

Watching

Circling

Flocked together

Outliers

Rocked

Formation floating

Wheely ducks

It is not going anywhere soon


...and snow. There is still some snow around. And more on the way! 

A good walk. A good idea. I should do it more often.

[Camera : Canon EOS M5, 8.48am, 3.29pm-3.36pm; 29 January 2018] 

Day 28/365: 'Tis the season...

...entrance exam season

Another Sunday, another entrance exam supervision day. That means an early start (earlier than usual just in case the buses are running late because of all the now black ice covering the roads) and then spend six hours in classrooms assisting with the supervision and conduct of entrance exams for the current crop of high school students. High tension, high anticipation...

...high boredom. We are not allowed to bring anything into the rooms, can't distract ourselves with things we would normally be doing on a Sunday like, I don't know, marking, class prep, reading, the usual. 

I did occasionally cast my eyes to the apartment buildings across the way and observed some movement in the curtains from time to time...

The view from the other side, of the building

Freeways

The tree lights...

...looked a bit snow-like


...and when it was done, it was back to the office to prepare the last Japanese politics lecture (and short test, I know they're going to enjoy that).

[Camera : Canon EOS M5, 5.30pm, 6.42pm; 28 January 2018] 

Day 27/365: Rehearsals mean...

...new customs

I headed off to my third clarinet rehearsal this afternoon. We have a performance coming up in a couple of weeks so we are stepping up the rehearsals, today and again next week. I'm not sure what this means for my newly acquired tradition of going to this most excellent hamburger place after rehearsals. It was intended as a once a fortnight treat, but what's a tradition to become if you don't stick to it? 

The rissoles on these burgers are seriously the best, and simply don't need any reason at all really to justify the occasional indulgence. 

Outside, the lights were still illuminating the southern end of Ikebukuro Station and I set out to see how that worked with the snow, which continues to hang around...

Very healthy J for juice

Healthy cheddar cheese burger (I believe) 

Starlights

Snow glow

Against the wall 

Snow leaves

Wonderland

Ice flowers

Chips of the old block

Surrounded

Plaza lights


Yeah, most people are pretty well over it, but no, not me, I can't get enough of the snow. I think it is almost my favourite new tradition, after Saturday burgers of course. 

[Camera : iPhone6s, 5.07pm, 5.08pm; Canon EOS M5, 5.37pm-5.42pm; 27 January 2018] 

Day 26/365: Winding down...

...the end approaches

It seems strange to be saying the end of the academic year is nigh, when we are in the first month of the calendar year. But that is how it is. The Japanese academic year begins in April, finishes in March. So while I say the end is nigh, I really mean we are coming to the end of scheduled classes. They finish next Tuesday. Admin, in their wisdom, then give us one week to get all the marking and grades finalised. One week. I will have over 200 grades to consider, 170 2000 character (Japanese words) reports to assess, attendances, reviews, essays etc. One week. 

I don't think that leaves me much time, for much. But I will try my best. 

They've forgotten the roof

It's not going anywhere fast

Fenced in

How low can it go?


I didn't get very far today either. And at minus three, heading even lower...it feels like the end is nigh. 

[Camera : Canon EOS M5, 4.51pm-4.53pm, iPhone6s, 7.50pm; 26 January 2018] 

Day 25/365: But wait, there's more...

...I'm sure it wears off

But not for the present, not for me at least.I feel really quite spoilt by the seasons in Japan. As much as I love Brisbane's sub-tropical climate and all the flora and fauna that it sustains, there is something about Japanese seasons: actual blossoming before your eyes, actual green to red to yellow to brown to gone leaves of autumn, and the snow. I like it (secretly). I know it can be dangerous, annoying, cause accidents and so on. But I can't help it, I quite like it. 

So it was today, it is still hanging around, slowly melting, very slowly. Actually, much of it it turning to dangerous black ice, so I'm learning new walking styles each day. 

It is also a little incongruous to have a bright sunny day, and snow. Somehow. 

Resting

Roadway

Snow? Did someone say there was snow?

Clear

The work continues

Drift

Enough already

And I guess, some people had decided they'd had enough by the end of the day. Either that, or they simply went for a bit of snow graffiti without really knowing what it meant (just like those tattoos I see some people flaunting, the Chinese/Japanese character ones they think have one meaning when in fact...teehee).

[Camera : iPhone6s, 9.41am, 9.44am, 7.30pm, 9.16pm; Canon EOS M5, 2.13pm, 2.36pm; 25 January 2018] 

Day 24/365: After the snow...

...more snow?

So unlike flooding rains, where the water goes away almost as quickly as it came, snow stays, or at least we have to wait until it melts. Trouble is you need warmth to melt the snow and while there was quite a bit of sun around this morning, it wasn't really penetrating very far. 

The buses are still running to their own time, rather than the timetable as such, but then, I don't blame them. Looking at the state of some of the roads out there, I very much doubt I'd have the courage to drive a car, much less a bus full of passengers. I'm just grateful for all the public transport workers out there today. They got me to work at least...

At the bus stop: no, snow and bamboo don't go together in my mind either

I now look to the clouds and wonder, moar snow?

Still here

Tunnel to ...?


...where the scenes were pretty much like they always are. 

Even the snow on the streets at night is a bit of a sight to see for this snow novice. 

[Camera : iPhone6s, 11.21am, 9.58pm-9.59pm; Canon EOS M5, 3.51pm; 24 January 2018]