Japan Pix
no title yet sorry. just basic pix.
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November 23, 2004
Latest writing work
Nick Brandt's photographs are like no other wildlife photography you've ever seen, because they are not wildlife photography in the conventional sense. He treats the photography of the wild animals of Africa as a fine art form. He photographs the animals as if he was photographing people. Above all, his photographs - both the close portraits and the sweeping vistas - stir the emotions of the viewer in powerful ways. more
November 21, 2004
Almost there
Parked at the Yahoo! lounge in Seoul. Spent way too much money on transportation and impulse. Christmas will come early this year...
Nauseous from too much transport. Japan pretty even amidst concrete, much like Greece. Learned some Japanese. Couldn't survive here too long unless paid exceptionally well (fat chance).
Shot 100+ gorgeous pix of Kyoto and Nagoya. Oh yeah - conference went well but I can't even remember any of it. Met lots of folks. Me so tired now from bowing.
Marientina is definitely a gaijin in Japan but she did her best to fit in with some effort. Nevertheless it is time for me to come back to my queen size bed and tall ceilings in my humble 480sq foot home that will feel like a genuine palace.
November 4, 2004
This week's consolation lyrics
Mississippi Goddamn by Nina Simone
Pirate Jenny (Nina's version) by Brecht/Weil
When the ship comes in by Bob Dylan
If you don't own these songs, ask me for a listening session. As Laurie Anderson said today, people believe in stories. Sometimes you try to write your own but somebody has already written it.
November 2, 2004
In Memoriam (1/5/1962 - 10/28/2004)
My beloved John Hoi Yee Lau passed away this Thursday, October 28th at 7.30pm. He had been hospitalized for exactly five weeks. He was first diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 1999 and was in remission for two years up to last year. He died of complications from treatment of his metastasis to the bones and lymphs. He fought very hard till the end. He beat his hospital admission prognosis by four more weeks.
I met John during my second quarter of freshman year in 1996. We became close friends, we were even neighbors for a while and he most often acted like an older brother and father to me. He was receiving treatment in Los Angeles for the past few months so I was very fortunate to have spent a lot of time with him.
Five weeks ago he entered the hospital with pneumonia and a blood infection and started a rollercoaster ride in intensive care. I was the first person he called from the hospital and that I will never forget. He was on a ventillator by the second day and soon after on a tracheiotomy so he couldn't talk to us but he made sure we knew he could listen. He never slipped into a coma and two weeks ago I was able to have a nodding conversation with him. Through yes and no questions and with his eyes closed he explained his pain and that he was no longer strong. I also got him to admit that I was his second platonic wife and for that I will always smile. Somehow his testimony conflicted with his big plan to give me away at my wedding alongside my father.
John was a talented architect, an honest man and a thoughtful friend. He was not afraid to use strong or soft words when it mattered. He was private, protective of his loved ones and never complained about anything unless it was necessary.
His wife Maureen was with him. She has been by his side since she flew down here. He waited patiently for her as he started slipping away. Maureen dropped their nine year-old son Ghikhan with me at my house and John slipped away with her by his side, listening to music on his favorite iPod. He didn't move and couldn't talk but tears rolled down his eyes endlessly as he slipped far away from us. I arrived forty-five minutes later to say goodbye. Marcus brought the boy over to say goodbye also. It was very moving and very precious to watch.
I have never been more touched in my life by the love three people had for each other. John was a wonderful father and a best friend to Maureen. They had been together for almost twenty years. I am thankful for his love to me and although heartbroken, I am happy that he is no longer suffering.
My dear John, I miss you every day.
***1/4/06
It has been over a year. Sometimes it is better to remember a birthday than a death. It seems like only yesterday that we met in French class. Who will keep company to me and Candide now?