Day 332, 28 Nov 2017: Just passing...

Day 332: ...just...

Of all the comings and goings I see on an almost daily basis out on the port and surrounds, two large barges passing under the bridge today was a first, for me. I mean, they probably do it all the time, after all it is not as if I stare out the window all day I am a busy person.

But how intriguing. Neither appeared to drop their speeds, both were pretty determined to move along, it was almost like the modern version of the old knights jousting on horseback (my knowledge of which is mostly informed by Monty Python sketches, so I could be wrong, very wrong). 

But there was no rest and recuperation from the full-speed ahead marking, grading, assessment whirlwind and straight into class cycle we are in at the moment. Just like the barges and tugs.

Just passing, just

Making waves

With a tug chaser

And leaving nothing in their wake

We all just keep chugging along. It's our job after all. 

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 4.10pm-4.11pm; 28 November 2017] 

Day 331, 27 Nov 2017: Malfunction...

Day 331: ...but not really

...as it turned out. As I noted yesterday, today was the first class for Japanese politics for this term, first up at 9.00am. I have to rely on the smooth-running, incident-free public transport system to get me there on time.

One of the morning highlights is the sun rising up and over the port, and putting sparkles on the water...

'I just hope they are coming to clean the summer cyclones off the window soon', was my actual reaction

...and that was it for the day. Apart from having so many things to do today, I probably wouldn't have found time to take more pics anyway, the little cam, the Lumix, piped up with an error message telling me the card was missing. Oh, I thought, perhaps I've left it in the computer...I was rather to busy to double-check (I know, you know, how hard is it to check whether or not the card is in the cam?) so I left it at just this one pic today.

Got home, checked everywhere for the card...not in the computer, not on the table, not in a case...double-check the camera--there it was. There are times I rely on the camera's artificial intelligence and superior picture-taking abilities, but next time it tells me something contrary to my own instincts? Well, it won't happen again.

[Camera : iPhone6s, 8.01am; 27 November 2017] 

Day 330, 26 Nov 2017: Are we there yet?

Day 330: ...as if we have a choice

But first: lunch.

Marking deadline today. First class of the new term tomorrow at 9.00am. That means my leisurely Saturdays at work are probably going to switch to Sundays at work for the next couple of months. The subject is Japanese politics and I will need to have the information as up-to-date as a Monday morning class allows. 

But first to lunch with colleagues at an Australian Greek restaurant in the Ginza. Really. And classic Greek food it was (at least in my limited knowledge of what Australian Greek food constitutes, and how they manage to reproduce it in the Ginza). One of those wonderful interludes talking all manner of things politics far and wide, knowing you are delaying the inevitable...resisting the dessert so you can finish...the marking.

And then to the office. On a Sunday afternoon. But I'll just have to get used to it. The grades are due in at midnight for release tomorrow. It has been a tight turnaround, with no break to speak of between terms and work commitments, so finding time to grade 100 or so exams papers and reports, well, it has been a test in itself.

Lucky for me there were some nice Autumn glimpses along the way, to ease the pain.

The room with a view over the Ginza

Steps and leaves

Grated seeds

A tad overcast

And the grades made it in in time. With plenty of hours left in the evening...(about three and a half hours, to be approximately precise).

[Camera : iPhone6s, 1.03pm, 4.08pm-4.14pm; 26 November 2017] 

Day 329, 25 Nov 2017: A long distance love...

Day 329: ...no, not what you're thinking...

It was a rather strange day today. I was not 'on-site' for an election that matters. It was a very strange feeling for me, not quite right. Prior to moving back to Japan, I was known for flying to Tokyo to observe elections. Today was the Queensland election and I had to watch from afar, while marking, finalising the final grades and preparing for next week's classes. In recent years, I've been fortunate to be either at the tally room (which they haven't done for a while and yes, I really went there) or in the foyer of the ABC in Brisbane to play psephologist (and watch the master, Antony Green, from afar). 

Still, in a nod to the internet, I was able to follow events pretty closely online, almost like being there, but not quite. 

But as it happened I spent a fair bit of time in the office in quiet 'contemplation' of the students' efforts in understanding Peace Studies, We're almost there, they did OK. Mostly.

Autumn clarity

Distortion 1 (not marking)

Distortion 2 (marking, not marking) 

Distortion 3 (marking, not elections)

Oh, and speaking of long distance things and the internet--my 8wordstory got up and I could see it from Tokyo, via a webcam, this one on Logan Road, coincidentally, not too far from home. 

True story too, I witnessed the rendezvous on the train the other day. Really. And I'm glad I'm old enough to have lived in a world pre-internet and can appreciate the wonder that allowed me to connect with home today. For the love, and elections.


[Camera : iPad, screenshot, Logan Rd Brisbane from Tokyo, 7.24am, iPhone 6s, 1.51pm, Lumix TZ-85, 3.52pm-3.54pm]

Day 328, 24 Nov 2017: What a difference...

Day 328: ...a day can make

Yesterday I was lamenting, not lamenting, the rain. Today, on the other hand, started out fine, very fine, with a little cloud later. But the cloud was really very interesting. 

The classes continue, we're into term 4 now, just seven and a half weeks left of the academic year (plus the ten days of New Year closures). The end is coming up fast.

This morning there was a lovely contrast with yesterday's pic on the way into work...

The colour returned

Hint of sun

Light and shade

Suspended rain

Flying out

Just a little more marking left to get term 3 over the line (yes, the terms run into each other like this--we are marking classes just ended as we get into classes anew) and then it is into the writing. 

Oh, and at the end of the day, a nice little surprise for tomorrow...                                                                      😀→→


[Camera : iPhone6s, 9.27am, 6.26pm; Lumix TZ-85, 1.53pm, 3.09pm, 4.30pm; 24 November 2017] 

Day 327, 23 Nov 2017: Not as gloomy as it seems...

Day 327: ...it is just a little overcast

I probably, somewhere, deep down in the sub-subconscious, like rainy days. At least, I seem to photograph them just as much as fine days so if the numbers of photos divided by x to the nth degree times 365 is a valid formula, then they probably come out fairly equal.

Except...

We seem to notice the rainy days more, notice the inconvenience more, and perhaps the annoyance a bit more.But the rainy days do make for dramatic pics.

I guess it is just the thought of standing at the bus stop, under an umbrella that's just not quite big enough to protect you and your bag from the wet and long ride via bus then train then walk to work. 

At the bus stop

Not a black & white filter but actual real life

This tree is covered in these white pods for a week or so and then, they're gone
In the quadrangle on campus

But work one must, and rain it must I suppose. I'd just like to work out a way to have rain without it getting in the way of the commute. In the meantime, I'll just keep on photographing it I guess. 

[Camera : iPhone6s, 10.01am, 11.40am, 4.38pm; 23 November 2017] 

Day 326, 22 Nov 2017: A kind of calm...

Day 326: ...before it all begins (again)

Never read the comments, and don't check class numbers too often...my term 4 lecture, which last year had about 50 students, last week had 90, this week it has 120...should I worry? Well, a bit. The syllabus which was due way back in January was written with a view to maybe 60 students. It is now double that. It affects how the assessment was to be undertaken...it means some level of review.

Which is what I spent much of the day doing in between all the marking for the term 3 class that similarly had a sudden jump (doubling) in numbers and also resulted in adjustments on the run (more or less). 

The water on the port was a lot calmer than me today, although I reckon we were fairly equal on the reflection bit. And the leaves down on the promenade are really turning on the last gasp autumn colours as the winter chill starts to set in. 

In the neighbourhood

Calm...

Reflecting

Colours

Oh, and today, I got word of a recommendation to to step up and join the professoriate in the graduate school. That's kind of nice. 

[Camera : iPhone6s, 10.26am, Lumix TZ-85, 2.33pm-2.34pm; 22 November 2017] 

Day 325, 21 Nov 2017: When plans change...

Day 325: ...an 'ordinary' day

Despite there being no scheduled classes today (a ploy to let us pretend there is actually a break between terms 3 and 4 I suspect), I set out with the express purpose of going to work, to mark and to grade...of course.

I also thought today was the last day I could legitimately leave my hair without a cut before I...I don't know, took to it with scissors myself (ending up in a not very good look). 

So I waited for a reasonable time to get up and at it, found myself in a hair salon in the shopping centre down the road, checked the book shop next door, pondered next year's overseas holiday at the travel agent, (it's a big shopping centre) and then opted for a late-ish lunch. 

I was awake early enough to see the sunrise...

Another story for the whale research

And proof I do eat what I photograph...

Then it was kind of late to head down the track to mark anything really so I took the long way home. 

When all is said and done, one day away from work after ten days straight, can't be all that bad now can it. Can it? And I have a much-needed haircut. 

[Camera : iPhone6s, 6.01am, 2.08pm, 2.31pm; 21 November 2017] 

Day 324, 20 Nov 2017: Where there's smoke...

Day 324: ...it is probably industrial-strength steam

I'd probably best not ponder too much about the environment I work in. Open, green, clean, port, water--all good; industry, smoke, smog, gas, fuel...probably, but less noticeable, most days.

Today was a fairly clear day, clear enough to see the smokestacks off in the distance. I assume they are smoke, they could be letting off steam (I'd rather hope). 

Nonetheless, from the behind the protections of my window, photographically-speaking they make for interesting patterns and contrast, which is what I look for at times. Like today.

Stacks

Times three

photobombed by a bird (and the windmill blade, stage right)

And with winter almost here, it's off to purchase this season's woolly apparel...it is getting cold out there. 

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 3.07pm, 4.19pm; 20 November 2017] 

Day 323, 19 Nov 2017: Pastel skies...

Day 323: ...helps pass the Sunday

So despite a day at work yesterday, it was back there today, partly because it was day two of the student festivities, and mostly because it is the season to be marking, with a very short turnaround. I guess I have retirement to look forward to to start to slow down and live a normal life, whatever that is. (I've heard stories about these so-called weekends without work, I can't believe it happens.)

Meanwhile, the sky offered a little colour show of its own this evening, pastels to oranges. 

A spot of reflected sun

The comings and goings of Haneda

Cloud smudges

Oh, and the odd plane or two in the distance. I will miss this view when I retire, definitely not the marking though. 

[Camera: Lumix TZ-85, 4.38pm-4.43pm; 19 November 2017] 

Day 322, 18 Nov 2017: Meet and greet...

Day 322: ...and playing up

Not the best day weatherwise for a parental meet and greet and a showcase of student club and societies activities on campus. Wet and windy. And cold. Fine for the indoors where we met the parents of the students we teach, not so great outdoors where students were performing their long-rehearsed programs for the day.

By the time we got back to base (it was a long session with the parents) I was in time at least to watch the students of the chamber orchestra club ...

violins

cellos

the all important bass section

End of the day

They played a few tunes that I had played with my bands back home, and I was really wanting to be up on stage with them (at least to help with some conducting if nothing else). But they did well, given the conditions. And I'm inspired to get back to my playing soon.

[Camera : iPhone6s, 4.00pm 5.00pm; 18 November 2017] 

Day 321, 17 Nov 2017: Craning for a view...

Day 321: ...working hard for a festival

There was a Qld premier who once said you could judge the state's economic health by the number of cranes on the skyline. Well, I guess on a port those cranes have a different purpose but there has been a rathe large one on the horizon of late. 

It comes and goes, I don't know quite how it is moved around. But it was back today, and just stood out. 

The window cleaners were back at work. 

And down below?

All the barging

Crane of cranes

Minor cranes

Best view

Office view

Preparations in the quad for another weekend of showing off student creativity with a student festival and open day at the Ariake campus. It is going to be a fun* weekend We work hard for these days. (*fun qualified...I have 'meet the parent interviews')

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 10.28am, 12.58pm-12.59pm, 2.41pm; 17 November 2017] 

Day 320, 16 Nov 2017: So much blue...

Day 320: ...so much sparkle

How do these blue skies happen? They are just so exhilarating. The clarity, the sun, the sparkles. I had work to do today, of course, last days of term three before term four starts (next week!) but so much of the day was just so.

Of course, it didn't start like that. An accident on on the metro affected my usual train line to work requiring a bit of quick thinking, alternate routes, a bit of annoyance...

Clear skies above

Sparkles to the right...

Blue water to the left (same time)

Racing...

But really, the sparkles from the office, at the end of the line, at the end of the morning's disruption made it fade away pretty quickly. 

Oh, until the evening staff meeting. Enough said. Staff meetings need more sparkles. 

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 11.35am-11.36am, 1.42pm; 16 November 2017]

Day 319, 15 Nov 2017: A resounding yes...

Day 319: ...rainbows win

All day today, my social media timelines have rained rainbows (not technically speaking). The long-awaited result of the postal survey was announced early this morning my time and the result was a resounding yes, a great relief I imagine for LGBTQI friends and colleagues but a process they shouldn't have had to endure. Imagine being surveyed about your rights by an entire nation. This is not the intent of citizen referenda used elsewhere nor is it a 'democratic' and 'fair' process as spruiked by anti-ssm advocates. 

It was prying, unnecessary and unfair. But the result was celebrated all day (and probably into the night). 

There is a rainbow bridge not far from my office and I hoped it might be lit up tonight by coincidence. It wasn't. But the sky, approaching sunset, did its very best to add, if not rainbows, then some rather lovely pastels to the atmosphere. 

Sunset clouds 1

Sunset clouds 2

Sunset clouds 3

Congratulations my friends. But may you never have to be put through such undignified processes ever again. Best wishes and happily ever afters to you all. 

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 4.41pm; 15 November 2017]