Stephen - The Artist

Up next is Stephen Yeats, a guy who has been around the world more times than the moon. A gentleman of the first order, he is also an exceptional artist. When I first saw his sketchbook I was in awe of his talent to see what so many of us can't. Without further ado.

Yuko - The Japanese Teacher

Today, in my further studies on how to properly use my camera, I took pictures relating to two of my favourite past times - Japanese and art. First up is Yuko and her small private, one-woman (with help from her sister on occasion) Japanese school - Nihongo Gym. I have been taking lessons with her since July 2004 and at the time I couldn't speak a word of Japanese. To Yuko's credit, she has stuck with me even though I am not the most energetic student sometimes and we have come to point where I can hold my own in a conversation with the average Osakan (that said, Osakans are hardly average).

Kobe in Spring

To celebrate my birthday this weekend I went to Kobe to get my first taste of a seafood meal in over a year. The restaurant I went to was in the Mosiac shopping complex, a massive entertaiment play ground for the idle rich of Kobe and Rokko Island I imagine. I didn't realise until I walked in that the dining was buffet. Not such a let down as the size of the place really made me comfortable. It was a beautiful day, the first time in a long time I felt truly relaxed and comfortable on my weekend. I had no where to be and nothing pressing to do. It also helped that I had been paid the day before. Spring was finally in the air and despite a brisk wind the day was hardly cold. I'm looking forward to this weekend when i can get out and about for really in the northern areas of Kansai.

The Golden Temple in Kyoto

The other week I finally made the trip to 金閣寺 (Kikakuji Temple) in Kyoto and despite the massive amounts of tourists there it was worth the trip. It took the better part of 2 hours on the train and an hour on an overcrowded bus but when I arrived I finally saw the Japan I grew up dreaming about.

Tama - The Patchy Tabby

Tama was a street cat when she was found living in a condemned building by Kaeko (my girlfriend's mother). She had a severe cold and nearly died soon after she was taken in. However, after a bit of attention and a well placed heater she has made a complete recovery and refuses to leave her newly adopted house. I'm guessing she is fed up with the outside life. Most of the time you can find her sleeping somewhere, usually by the stove or in someone's bag.

Tatsu the Wonderdog

Tatsu enjoyed long walks in the local park until Junko took him in and gave him a place to live. The only dog I know who never barks and is afraid of anything that doesn't look like jerky. He likes nothing more than to go for long walks dragging the girl in tow.

Beagles and the Wakabayashi Animal House

Hello everyone! This being a test run and all I thought I would start by posting some images of my girlfriend's animals. The beagle is Honey, the patchy while cat is Tama and the black dog is Tatsu. Living with them is like living with 3 different personalities.

This is Honey roaming around in the local river park near where I live. She is a sassy young beagle with a bottomless stomach and a Snoopy temperament.