i've remembered why i often don't like taking pictures: i feel like i'm missing the experience/moment that i'm trying to capture. i now feel bad for photographers.

i've now had to try to explain "Why Japan?" enough times to come up with a good answer. This being especially since i can't just try to explain my fascination with the green versus gray that is so stark yet an obvious result of Japanese existence. (Southern California just doesn't get that sort of vegetation.) Basically, last night i was asked this question by another performer. i started with something simple, the train system, but knew he wanted more than that. i did, too, so i referenced his set of music (he had already played by then, and made the effort to translate what his songs were about for just us! too considerate!). one of his songs he mentioned was about the need for all people of the world to work as one. this is a common thread in all of Japanese culture and life. i explained that this idea of working for a greater good was something i admired and enjoyed living during my time in Japan especially since that is not a common threat in the States. he went on to say that this happens as an effect of imitation and no sense of individuality which is why he admires the US: 'you can do/be who you want, say what you want and not have the government or those around us bring us down.' (i didn't want to burst his bubble and tell him that the US is losing the battle of holding on to these founding principles, but assuming that we weren't steadily losing our constitutional rights, i completely agree with him. so i told him so!)
basically, we had an understanding of both sides of the coin: Japanese culture can achieve its "oneness" due to their ability to assimilate and imitate while the US's "freedom" and "individuality" make that same goal near impossible. and with all honesty, i see more possibility in individuals working as one no matter how difficult. but lately i just think that we're (the US) is headed in the wrong direction... until then---