As Such, Such is Life

I've said before that I'm cursed when it comes to travel, and by all accounts and treating the subject empirically, it's true. Flights delayed and cancelled, trains missed by mere seconds, travel company pulling out and all that craic, like I said, I've said it all before.

But this time -

This time was different!

I had packed ahead of time and nothing was forgotten. Train to the airport, not a hiccup and the airport itself, I was in plenty of time. While there I even got a reading done for my class/essay on 'Post Communist Transforamtions' before getting onto the plane. For the check in I was only a few moments and the lady really didn't seem even remotely bothered that I was 0.7kgs overweight or that my carry-on lacked any known shape. Security, not a glitch! And believe me, that's unusual. Usually it's a case of what did I forget to take out of my bag?! *Whoops, I beeped!* Back through the scanner, off goes the belt, jewellery, boots (I tend to wear boots a lot, and if I'm flying my big heavy hiking boots are on me, 'cos they weight about a kilo, so no way am I paying Ryanair to let me have some practical footwear with me!) and back through the scanner *whoops! I beeped again* Back through the scanner, I forgot to take off my necklace. *Beep again* *Pat down* *So uncomfortable* really should be used to it by now! Aw, Shit! My phone is still in my pocket, security is pissed, I'm embarrassed so just grab my stuff and go. *Calls from security* In all the confusion I wondered off without my passport, comes in handy when about to enter another country and of course coming back again!

But not this time. Everything was perfect. Okay, so my flight was delayed by twenty minutes, the plane is ridiculously hot and making me noxious and stuff, but other than that all is good. (Apologies for the weird use of present and past tense [in general terms] This was initially written while I was at the airport/during the flight on my way home from Poland last Christmas. I really meant to post this way back then but I guess I just never did. Anyway because of this parts of it are interjected with past and present verbs as well as some future stuff in there too, but that's self-explanatory and not confusing to read).

I did develop a slight obsession, though, in the time between security and landing! That is, a young Polish woman and an Irish guy, who looked beyond doubt to be a couple, took my attention a little more than an essay concerning Ralf Darhendorf an Piotr Stzompka (even though that was also really very interesting). Let me explain...

I was sitting, headphones on and reading away, when suddenly I thought of a friend of mine. Not that weird, but when you consider we haven't known each other very long, or have only ever spent a few hours in each others company and have what could be described as a 'casual friendship', it seems odd for him to just pop in there. Anyway, thought no more of it until, just moments later the Manic Street Preachers start to play on Outspan Foster (my iPod). Now I don't think that he reads this, I'm pretty certain that he doesn't even know that I write, let alone keep this blog,  our friendship really is quite 'passerby' but in case he does I'm sure he knows now that it was him that I was thinking of. But anyway, aside from that aside, he briefly passed through my thoughts and then I looked up, and there he was! Well, I could have sworn it was him standing across from me. I mean this guy is either a doppelganger or he was a slightly taller twin brother who never came up in conversation. But whoever this guy was, I did not know him.

In a room full of Poles and Irish, he was clearly Irish! The woman standing beside him, almost definitely Polish. Tall, slender, gorgeous, boots (not like mine), dressed up to the nines (and beyond) making it all look like no effort at all. You know the way, how all Polish women seem to look, at the very least, all those I every came across while there, making all the tourists and internationals there feel bad about themselves.

They were both standing. Right beside one another, neither with a large carry-on. They both looked a little sad. Now I was reading but on the last pages, I was bored of it and easily distracted, plus I thought he was someone I knew...so, I kept looking up.

They never spoke to one another. They didn't even seem to acknowledge one another. They never shared a look, but I am certain that they were there together.

There were plenty of seats, some right beside them. Boarding had not began, they could have both sat, beside one another if they had wanted, but didn't. When one of them looked at something in a 'fake daze' the other looked to see what at. They both did this.

I became fascinated. I wanted to know were they together, I'm pretty sure they were (maybe it's just hard to explain, but seeing them there, there was definitely that vibe. They were together!) Why were they not speaking with one another? What had happened between them? Will they talk it out? 

Would they sit together on the plane?

Boarding began, I wasn't inclined to leave my seat, so when the queue began to move I joined at the end and sat. (I really am quite lazy). But they didn't leave my mind. On the shuttle to the plane I looked for them both, but they were on the first shuttle, I the second, probably already finding their seat on the plane. I boarded from the rear and found his red hair and Irish face immediately. I wanted to sit so I could see him (like I say I had developed an obsession), but no free seats behind. So I moved on forward. (Damn my laziness!)

She was not sitting with him.

And I can't stop wondering what happened between the two.

They travelled to Poland for a few days, maybe even a week. She was to work over Christmas and wouldn't be able travel home to see her family, flights were still cheap and it was a chance for them to meet him. Maybe?

What happened then I can't even assume. I don't know what could have happened to have made those two people seem so sad. I don't want to write that story.

But the time came to go home. Both booked the same flight of course, weeks ago, assuming that they could sleep their way through the journey resting snugly on each other's head. It was too much hassle and effort to change now. Neither had the energy. But at least the seats were not set. They arrive at the airport and go through the usual.

In the waiting area they both still have hope, but the upset is still so great and the wound, whatever it is, is still open. She being the woman, sets a test, and no it's not vindictive. It's just subtle, to see what he does, to see if there is a reason to hope.

She Stands!

It's still an hour, with the announced delay, maybe even more, there are seats available and it's not as if she'll be the first in the queue when boarding begins. It would make sense for him to sit! But he stands. He stands beside her and never moves away. He stays right beside her and not wanting to be away, at the other side, from her glance. Her breath. Her voice. Her.

That's a reason to hope!

But...they don't talk, he sends a few text messages and plays with his phone. She receives a few phone calls. It doesn't seem to attract his attention at all. She speaks in Polish. They carry on like complete strangers in each other's presence. Both too frightened to take the first step, to make that first move. To say it, to say 'forget it', 'it was my fault', 'I'm sorry', 'you're forgiven'.

So they stand there, in silence, a barrier between them both.

Is there still hope?

Boarding begins and the queue moves. Still they don't speak or offer each other help. They get the shuttle. He gets out first and heads for the rear entrance of the plane. He thinks she'll follow and sit beside him. They'll talk then. They'll make everything right again, and it will all be okay again. They'll get home and it'll just be a bad memory.

They'll talk and it'll all be okay again.

She gets off the shuttle and goes to the front entrance.

She doesn't want that.

Things can't be fixed.

There is no hope.

They spend the next three hours on that plane. Not a single spoken word, just a nod to the hostesses offering drinks and pass the time staring at the seat in front. Not even out of the window at the twinkling lights below.

They go home and life moves on, they fall in love and are happy again. He becomes a fond memory to her and he'll never go back to Krakow!

I Also Take Photograhs, Sometimes!

It has come to my attention that I have spent too long recently thinking about food, and looking through previous posts, its blatantly obvious, even if it does seem to be only Asian food. I love food, I really do and it's a majorly important feature of my life, for one thing, it's the only thing that stops me from keeling over with starvation. But it's hardly the only thing that I care about, even if lately I have been reading food blogs a ridiculous amount and been wanting to experiment more (by-the-by I've made Mochi/Mochiko twice now with the recipe I found on Instructables.com and its been more of a success than a failure). But at the end of the day, I didn't, and still don't want this blog to become all about food (even if it did start about me being bored, and I do eat when I'm bored, I don't think it's a logical step). That's why it's time for my semi-regular feature of just posting some pictures I'd forgotten I had even taken, or that I just wanted to share in more places than Flickr (or felt that Flickr was not the place for it).  

'Camera Phones are to Photography what Two Minute Noodles are to Cooking'

I don't care for the camera on my phone, what mega pixel it is, or its exposure controls. Not because I necessarily agree with the above sentiment but I had/have a camera, specifically designed to take pictures, my phone isn't so why would I use my phone and get shakey images when I am guaranteed to get somewhat respectable pictures using my camera? The answer, of course being that I was caught off guard, and didn't have my camera with me! These few pictures here were all taken using the camera phones and are surprisingly good, considering that and the fact that these were all taken before I had any clue about photography whatsoever.The Windmills were photographed using a Nokia E63 and the snowy images with my now lost (but still loved) Sony Ericsson K800i.

Somethings Just Need to be Photographed!

I don't think the following images need to be explained, but just in case they do: These are quite simply just things I have come across, or (in one or two cases) been wholly responsible and took photos as proof of their existence or just because it made me happy to do.

 

The Ministry of Silly Walks

This I do believe is the best example of graffiti that I have ever seen in my life. I spotted this while wandering around King's Island, Limerick, Ireland one day and bust out laughing to myself. I honestly do believe that graffiti can be a  legitimate art form and this definitely expresses something particularly strong when you think about the state of this state currently. Also its just funny!

Food - I cannot escape it!

This is a triple chocolate krispie, chewy, chrunchie Rice Krispie cake I made not too long ago. It contains Scotsbar cooking chocolate, Wedel milk chocolate, Wedel dark chocolate, Chrunchie bars, marshmallows  and some sugar sprinkles. Oddly enough, it turned out a little too chocolaty, but that didn't stop my drunken cousin eating it all when he crashed at our house that night!

 More Chocolaty Goodness

Deep Fried Mars Bars, also known as Battered Mars Bars are largely mistaken to be a myth, but despite looking like frozen feces are fantastically delicious, even if painfully artery clogging. I make these every so often but the people in my life still refuse to believe it so whenever I do I make sure to get a few pictures in. Evidence for the non-believers and to frighten health freaks!

 

Funky Fungi!

This is a mushroom. I am not sure why but when I saw this mushroom I felt obligated to photograph it. It's weird I don't even like mushrooms. It's a shame about the camera shake, I was using a hug lens!

I Really Just Wanted to Share These Ones

 You're Not a Flower

There is something I don't like about this picture, but I don't know what, and that is why I did not post it to my Flickr account. But I do still like it and that is why you get to see it. It is of course a pine cone masquerading as a flower with some nice bokeh sort of stuff going on there in the back.

 Everything is Better if it's Purple!

Hydrangeas are one of the few flowers that aren't prettier when seen closeup or in Macro. There definitely is something nicer about the big bushy blossoms then the simple individual flowers. In saying that I like how this photograph turned out!

 

Vertical Lines and Lupins

This was the first picture I took, successfully with my Nikon D3000 in Manual Mode and have since been shooting in Manual with a good deal of success. I also took heed of certain rules of composition and photography and I do believe, at least personally, that this is my best image. I took it to enter into the weekly assignment of DPS but for some reason, after I submitted it, it would not accept it. The theme was vertical lines, which I'm sure are obvious in this image. Plus it has Lupins in it, which are beyond doubt my favourite Flower to photograph, probably because they are so accessible, being that they are all over our garden at home.

 

 

To our left, a couple on a beach at sunset. A complete cliche I know but I like it. Though I would prefer thatthe woman was more in a silhouette and not visible in such detail but I guess that's a good reason to finally learn how to use Photoshop or Gimp. 

And finally, a makeshift pinhole camera using my mother's old 35mm film camera. And look there's lupins in it. Whoohoo!

All these pictures are my own so please feel free to comment and critique as all feedback helps, and remember to check out my flickr page for more of this sort of thing and some stuff completely different!

Officially, Am I An Adult Yet?!

I've been trying to be more grown up lately, and this has manifested itself in many different ways. For one thing I'm drinking an Iced Coffee that I prepared myself this morning instead of hitting up Costa or that mermaid place with the expensively good coffee. But I'm not going to get in over my head with the coffee, I've drank coffee since I was eight so I really doubt that is the criteria in which one becomes an adult, especially as I know several actual adults who don't drink coffee. Though in saying that I've started drinking proper fancy tea and I'm looking into purchasing a kitchen thermometer (buying fancy kitchen implements is a job usually reserved for my Mammy, and she's an adult!)

Anyway, what has spurred this one on is, in one week I begin my final year in collage and I'm suddenly feeling that maybe its time to take things into stock and figure out how the hell am I going to get a job?! Also the University posted out to all the soon to be Fourth Years a package filled with all sorts of goodies marked GET A JOB!!! in big ass writing. It was like a twisted copy of the Hitch Hiker's Guide and to be honest it sort of scared me, no 'Don't Panic' in big friendly writing it was exactly the exact opposite!

The thought of getting a proper job doesn't actually scare me, nor does doing interviews. I'm not really sure what part of it is getting to me. But thinking about it I realise my CV is pretty bare when it comes to the references section, and well actually the whole of the other sections too. So its time to fill it up and get lots of experience and other stuff on there too! I'm doing some volunteer work. This includes buddying up with some international students doing a semester/year here at UL and collecting/fundraising for depression and suicide awareness for Aware.ie as part of their Daisy Days. At this point I should probably point out that I'm not just doing this for a reference, but its a nice little perk seeing as no one wants to employ me!

I also want to be able talk about the things I've listed as my interests. This has always been an issue for me, even though I'm really interested in a lot of things - music, photography, politics, art, philosophy, cooking, baking - I really don't know enough about any of it to talk to anyone who has any clue about any of these things. That's why I've changed my preferences on StumbleUpon and joined Twitter. I know this mightn't seem like that big a deal but seeing as every blog I look at these days is cooking and art and I'm reading them, means it's surly doing something for me. And then twitter is really helping me keep up to date on what the hell is going on in the world at the moment. So yeah, that's pretty cool.

The thing is though, I still don't feel as though I can consider myself an adult. I mean I have always thought that there is several criteria and even though I have met them all I still feel that in my life experiences I'm still just a kid! And really that just makes me sad!

Ok so those criteria were:

• Physical: You are officially an adult in a physical sense when you get through puberty and most people have that done well before they get to twenty (unless they are a ballerina that is).

• Legally: On you're eighteenth birthday you become an adult in the eyes of the law. You can drink, smoke, play the lottery, gamble, get married, live on your own and all that jazz or at least some combination of it all depending where you live.

• Coming Of Age: This one really depends on the individual, their upbringing, nationality, customs and traditions. For me this meant learning to drive, going out, taking full responsibility for yourself, getting a job, having had sex, being in a proper relationship, smoking, drinking, having got so drunk to stop drinking (at least for a while), having your own money, having people rely on you, cooking your own dinner, paying rent, caring about the price of petrol, actually reading the newspaper not just flicking through it, having deadlines...and you surely get my drift.

I'm sure when I was growing up there was more criteria but for now these are the major ones that seem to be niggling at me. I've met all of this, so why am I still not mature enough to be an adult? Or is it that I'm just scared of the true adult world and just want to chill out in a perpetual state of inbetweeness for at least the time being?!

Anyway, its not like its even that big a deal. It would seem that I'm unemployable and my future is likely to include more letters after my name other than BA, even though that thought scares me too. I guess ultimately every person reaches a point where they are forced to look back and look forward and it will always be more comforting looking back then it will be looking forward. And that's probably why I want to get a disposable camera instead of a tripod; watching repeats of shows from when I was younger instead of indulging in the great new things available to me; and why for the fear of criticism I am not going to post this blog but save it for a rainy day.

And I guess that means that I'm not yet truly an adult

When in Doubt - Go Classy!

For the last while I've been on a bit of a trip about trying new things. I won't say that I've gotten a bee in my bonnet or anything because it's really not an intense thing but I have recently been thinking a lot more along the lines of 'I could really be missing out on something just because I haven't tried it before'. If you've read the recent posts about cooking and whatnot then you might see where it is I'm coming from. I'm not going to go into much detail, because honestly it's not terribly interesting or anything. The point is for the last few weeks I've been asking nearly everyone I speak to if they have ever had mussels, oysters or tofu. Now it turns out I've had plenty of fried tofu, in Chinese food and that sort, and I have decided that I love it (I haven't had it prepared any other way so if anyone has suggestions let me know). However I have never, knowingly or otherwise, had mussels or oysters. The reasons for this is simple: 

• I don't do seafood, or at least I haven't until now.
• It's usually the texture of a food that puts me off rather than the taste, and looking at mussels and oysters I can't imagine they feel all nice and lovely and pleasant in my mouth.
• I try to avoid ordering food in restaurants that I'm likely not to eat. Obvious I think.

But if I try them just once then I won't have to again. Unless of course they turn out to be utterly amazing like everyone claims them to be. So this evening when I was meeting himself for food I decided today was the day! O' Connell's Pub formally and better known as Synott's in Castletroy do Galway Bay Oysters (Oysters from Galway, Galway Bay that is). I felt so classy ordering them as they do seem to have an air of sophistication about them but the moment the bartender put the plate in front of me I exploded into laughter. I have no idea why. Himself looked disgusted by them and was thanking God it wasn't him eating the things. 

I didn't shoot them back. I picked up the least weird looking one, which also happened to be the biggest and I poked with the fork and nibbled it. It tasted like a fishmonger's smells, which really is just slightly fishy with a strong smell of ice and parsley. I didn't really think that it tasted of anything. But as I said its the texture of food that turns me off not the taste. The next three looked absolutely disgusting, all blackened and squiggley and wet looking. I didn't want to eat them! But they did taste fine, just didn't look it. I picked up the smallest one next...it was also the ugliest so I put it back down. I really couldn't do it, but I wasn't going to leave them there, like I said they tasted fine (who am I trying to convince?!). So what else could I have done...

When in doubt - swallow whole!

Taken with the crappy camcorder I keep in my bag and will be replaced

All in all I'm glad I tried something new and now I have some shiny new ornaments, but lemon isn't enough to make those things look nice or have a stronger taste. I definitely think lots and lots of melted butter is the way to go so once I find somewhere that does mussels I'll try those too.

Therefore in conclusion: Oysters look gross and unfortunately they serioulsy don't make you classy, not when you're laughing like a jackass and are terrified by your dinner.

My Candied Sweet Potato

I did it! I made Daigaku Imo, now let me tell you the tale!

I drove into town today and hit up the Milk Market and as I was expecting there were no traders only the permanent units, what I did not expect was for the Asian Supermarket located there to have closed down, or for the coffee place to have a door I just could not find. So with some disappointment I moved on and got breakfast at the nearby nightclub (if you're local you know it, I would say but after the last post I feel like I've overdone the free advertising) and then moved on to Henry Street to Cheong Heng Hong Chinese Supermarket. Let me tell you, I was enthralled and amazed and delighted. The smell walking in the door was gorgeous and the place is huge, there were bags and bottles, jars and tubs of spices, herbs, powders, rices, meats, dried vegetables, fresh ones too and that whole sort. I mean just imagine what your local Asian supermarket looks like, though in saying that I really don't know many people who have been inside one, at least, 'round these parts. What I mean is, I live 30kms from Limerick City, not exactly local, but there is a Chinese take-away as well as a Chinese restaurant about 7kms down the road, so if you want Chinese/Thai/Indian food its really not the case that it could simply be easier to prepare it yourself, espeially when you think how cheap it is. So I can honestly admit that I had never been, before this, been in an Asian Supermarket.

Anyway I got my stuff: Mirin, Rice Wine Vinegar and Black Sesame Seeds for the Daigaku Imo and Mochiko Powder and Coconut Milk for the Mochiko Cake this weekend (or tomorrow if I'm good). Though I'm surprised I made it out with only that, so big hint if anyone wants to get me some woks and tea cups (you know where!). Headed on to a pub on Shannon Street for tea, then Dunne's for some more ingredients and eventually home where I had everything else I needed.

Already I couldn't wait to eat but there were some issues that had to be dealt with first. Even though the recipe is pretty easy going with its measurements, a teaspoon of this, a tablespoon of that, it did call for 300g of Sweet Potato but at this very moment in time my uncle has our scales so I guessed how much of the vegetable I would use. I was pretty generous with the rest of the ingredients too, a teaspoon was at least a teaspoon and a half. But that's how I always am, so I don't think that really would matter, especially as I'm sure not all teaspoons are the same size. 

I cut, boiled, peeled, cut and fried some sweet potato in a wok with some oil and then added the rest of the ingredients. 4 teaspoons of Mirin, 1 teaspoon of Rice Wine Vinegar, 1 teaspoon of Soy Sauce, 2 and a half teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of Black Sesame Seeds, or well you know. Now I must say it came out lovely but I don't think quite right. I think what went wrong was that, I maybe boiled the sweet potato a little too long and then cut them up a little too small, and that's why I think they got a little gooey when I was trying to glaze them. They did however taste great and looked pretty good but not like they did in any of the pictures.

In case they didn't work out right first time round, which lets admit is normally the case, I'm happy to say I had the foresight to make sure I'd have enough sweet potato to make some more the next day. I'll check some more recipes and try not to let them get too soft and gooey. Although...I might just do the exact same again, like I said it was good!

 ...Now here's the thing, this all happened yesterday but it took me like four hours to get the photos uploaded and just then the router was turned off so that ended that. Now I spent pretty much the entire day today making lemon tarts and mocha biscuits with the sister and boys, so I'm doing this now instead. And actually since then I've tried my hand at cooking this again, but I was hungry so sorry no pictures! Anyway instead of boiling the tuber I cut into chunks and soaked in water for a while before frying it up with the sauce stuff. It definitely came out better as in it wasn't a complete mush of orange goo but unfortunately some of the bigger chunks were stringy instead of lovely and soft. And so the mission continues to perfect my Daigaku Imo.

Furthermore I realise this is becoming a little foody but we can blame the Finn for that, saying I'm mad into cooking weird things and me just needing to prove her right, then again it might just be because I love reading food blogs and I'm quite hungry quite a lot of the time, who knows. Next week Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Bites, or you know something else, ah you know how this whole thing works.

Seriously though check that link, they look amazing!

And so it Continues: Daigaku Imo and Mochiko Cake

My obsession, which is shared by many, of Japan and Japanese culture is continuing to burst through this week. Last week it was art, with me trying to do my own version of The Great Wave by Hokusai, but this week its cuisine. And next week on Really Too Much Time we'll be discussing Japan's obsession with France, France's obsession with America, America's obsession with Ireland, and Ireland's obsession with Japan (probably not, but still think about it for a moment!)

In all my life I have had the pleasure of experiencing Sushi just once! It was in this really nice Sushi Place (shocking!) across from our flat on Ulica Dielta in Krakow with M'Colleague, Red Hair an Jazz Hands Girl. I was really excited about trying it, both because it was something new, Japanese and possibly one of the few times in my life I would have such an opportunity. I can't remember what exactly I ordered but it was amazing and ever since I have wanted more, unfortunately as you may have guessed Sushi is not something I come by on a daily basis. After some quick internet-based research I my assumption that there is no Japanese restaurants or eateries in Limerick City has been proved I've decided I can't go indefinitely without Sushi or at least some Japanese food of some sort. Now even though I'm on a whole try new things/do what you have never done before kick lately Sushi is not something I am ready to try to prepare myself just yet (though eventually I hope to) so its Japanese food of some sort that I'm aiming for. In particular Daigaku Imo and Mochiko Cake, which you should have been able guess after reading the title. 

From what I can gather Daigaku Imo, which literally translates as 'University Potato' is eaten as a snack and is sweet potato which has been boiled before being fried and glazed in a syrup and sprinkled with black sesame seeds. Essentially its glazed or candied sweet potato and sounds and looks amazing. So not exactly heavy eating or what would be considered a dish, but from what I tell it is pretty authentic and so are the recipes I have found for it. I'm really excited about trying this, both cooking and eating as I seriously love sweet potato and it shouldn't be too difficult, and it's Japanese!

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE This is one such recipe I've found, may not quite be the one I ultimately follow, but all the recipes I've found are pretty much the same, so hopefully they'll end up looking something like this.

I'm hitting up one of Limerick city's few Asian Supermarkets tomorrow, I expect it will be APO Pinoy Store at the Milk Market, as I've realised I've never given the market the attention it deserves other than getting badges and jackets at The Edge, and they have a totally amazing sounding coffee place there and a French creperie that I did not know about, and are all open (thank God!) on Wednesdays (which is of course tomorrow).

While I'm there, and if I'm not totally wiped out from spending all my money on coffee and crepes, there are a few other ingredients that I will need to acquire for myself to make the Mochiko Cake. I found one recipe for this on Instructables.com, one of my most favourite websites, but I think I'll do some more research before fully committing. Though in saying that, I am so tempted by their chewy gooey goodness I don't think I'll be able resist for long. These are made from Mochiko which is grounded-pulverised sweet rice and this recipe calls for coconut milk in place of dairy so I'm thinking it might be as authentic as I'm going to get it.

Unfortunately I don't think I'll have an opportunity to attempt to make these until the weekend, well at least not the cake as it takes just an hour to cook, which I realise really isn't very long but I want to fully dedicate myself to it. Also if they work out well, I have an idea for a homecoming present for Aero who's been stateside for almost twelve months now and returns in just a few weeks. Aero is of course celiac and these little delights I'm told (at least made in this way) are totally gluten free. That is to say, any health conscious/celiac readers with a hunger for Japanese food here is a suggestion for you. Anyway I will update with pictures and tales of my experiences of these and will, with some hope and luck, one day be preparing such Japanese delights as Bento, Onigiri, squid salad and lovely lovely sushi!

The Obsession with Japan or The First Time in Three Years

So, currently I am sitting in the library trying to word a conclusion to the first chapter in my FYP and really struggling, so instead of making myself sad trying to do that, I'll do a blog update instead (This way the other people here will hear me typing and think golly gosh she is working hard!)

Last night, for the first time in three years I did something quite unexpected. I painted a picture! I did art for my Leaving Cert and even though I was never gone on the whole drawing thing but I was pretty good when it came to painting and pen work. I have drawn some since then and it's normally pen work, painting just takes too long. But after spending a great deal of my day looking at this and this and other general searches on flickr, I could feel that obsession with Japan (that we all seem to have) creeping up on myself. So obviously I tried to get the creative juices pumping and by which I mean, I totally just ripped off one of the most known images in the world.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai

Now the great thing about this woodblock print, other than its sheer awesomeness is that it has no copyright. Meaning of course you can pretty much do whatever you want with it, including as I have said ripping it off like crazy! For me, this meant getting rid of the little boats and throwing in the only thing people in the West think is more Japanese then this image itself. Now I considered Coy Fish but they are pretty damn difficult, so in comes a Sakura Tree - Cherry Blossoms!

Now I know my own is nothing as compared, but considering it is the first time I have even picked up a paintbrush I am pretty happy (so far at least, at the time of writing this I haven't actually finished and I know it needs a lot of work). As these things normally go, I found pictures to base it on and I drew the picture first, then outlined it in pen and retraced it to get fine line outlines instead of the rough scribbles I draw with (as I've said, drawing ain't actually really my thing)

Then I began to paint. This included the outlines of the wave at the beginning and spilling a load of red powder paint out onto the plate. Ah yes! A good start! Oh, and I also painted the Cherry Blossom Tree at the beginning too and I was using the powder paints I took from the Art Room at the secondary school I went to and have had for over five years or so now.

I was going pretty quick with it but at the same time I was at this for a few hours already at this stage with not a ridiculous amount done. As you could imagine now I was getting hungry so at this point I went and made me some yummy pasta! Unfortunately at the same time my brother the Arab was getting hungry too and decided to cook some breaded mushrooms. Seriously though, how disgusting are mushrooms!? I had to leave the room before I could get back to the painting.

I'd decided that I wasn't going to be able do the sky as it is in the original so I wimped out and altered it even further. So instead of a black and orange sky I did a red and yellow which was much easier! Now I feel really self conscious of what it is I'm actually doing, saying constantly look what I've done, look what I've done! PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!! So that's enough of that I guess, but this is the point I've reached so far and it is actually a great thing I think, because, like I've said, its been three years, that's like a life-time...if you know you're a toddler or something else that's three years old!

 

Anyway I hope to finish it tonight, that is more definition in the wash on the waves and on the tree and cliff edge, more shades in the sky and cherry blossoms blowing in the wind. Not entirely sure how I'm going to do that so I might go completely over the top and paint them onto another page and do a cut and paste job or just be lazy and have like pink spatters all over the page. Hopefully anyway I'll update this with a picture of the final image sometime tonight or tomorrow, though who knows I might totally make a breakthrough and instead of spending the rest of my evening reading this and doing this I might actually do this blasted conclusion instead of it all 'cos I'm totally not doing it now!

**UPDATE**

So as promised here is my finished (At least for now) version of The Great Wave! I know its still not great and I'm certain I'll give it another go sometime soon but over all I am happy with the result. Especially how the detail in the wave, at least in parts looks a bit like Kangii! So all that means is I must get on and learn how to read/write Kangii for my next attempt. I did take the lazy route with the cherry blossoms and just spattered pink paint down, its not very noticeable in the photo of the painting but it is there.

In the meantime I really do feel a trend setting, that being things that display an obsession with Japan and stuff I haven't done in roughly three years. Last night I was really tempted to read Shipwrecks by Akira Yoshimura. A great little novel that I studied for my leaving cert but never actually got around to finishing. Instead of reading it though I did finish the painting so I'm sure I'll read it before the weekend is out.

**FURTHER UPDATE**

I have since read and finished 'Shipwrecks', it is a fantastic story, short and easy to read. As such I recommend it and demand you purchase and read a copy immediately.