Johzinji Street Jazz Festival (brief recap)

I should also mention I went to a street jazz festival in Sendai, a big city on the East coast of Japan and a little North of here. Some friends and I went about a week ago and stayed with a CIR who lives there. I didn't take any pictures, so this is a less exciting post, but it was a really good time. We got to listen to amazing music - one of the highlights being the traditional melded with the modern - shamisen and electric guitar. We also found a library that had some of the most attractive modern architecture I've seen. On the top floor there was a small art library, and we spent lots of time there reading when we go tired of walking around. I 'discovered' a few Japanese photographers I really like, the most notable being Naoya Hatakeyama. If you have a chance, please look up his work. 

Niigata Albirex!

Sorry I haven't written in so long! I've been busy busy - this weekend was musical auditions (yes, I'm going to help put on a musical) and a welcome party in Sanjo, a city near here. I don't have any pictures of those things (sorry!) but more details will be coming later (we have our first practice this weekend!). However, I do have pictures of the Niigata Albirex game I went to yesterday! The 23rd was a national holiday here because it was Autumn equinox - from here on in the days get shorter. In celebration (?) a few of my friends and I went to what I'm pretty sure was my first pro sports event. And it was awesome. I loved trying to learn the cheers in Japanese, and high-fiving Japanese women whenever we scored a goal. And we won! At the end of the game, the team walked around the stadium (the 'Big Swan') and bowed to the audience. I can't say whether or not that happens in the US, but I feel like it doesn't...

The sunset out my window.

More night shots

New bands I'm listening to

I just got an emusic account, which is pretty awesome because it lets me download music (legally) for way cheaper than itunes. I've become addicted to Sprengjuhollin, especially the songs 'Worry 'til Spring' and 'Fra Gleymdu Vori.' I've also downloaded 'Great Expectations' by the Gaslight Anthem, some new Walkmen and Okkervil River, and 'Young Folks' by Peter, Bjorn and John. 

Speaking of music, I just got back from the Johzinji Jazz Festival in Sendai. There was band that I was mesmerized by, featuring a Shamisen (traditional Japanese string instrument), electric guitar, and drum machine. Also, there was a Beatles cover band, and of course I sang along.

And...

Night shots: rte. 116, the N-1 Building, reflection on a building. (I'm really happy with the second one...).

And more...

Persimmons, not yet ripe. The forest. A shed.