'The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley'*

I spotted this Kinko tree earlier this week from the train, so I went yesterday to find it and get a few shots. One of over 1000 shots I have to get posted... more on the delay below.





I'm at the end of a month in which I had plans to post so many articles...

Look out, here come the excuses!

...pick one:

1.I moved from Windows to Linux
2.Sharon and Andrew extended their August Tokyo visit, leaving me to fend for myself
3.Sharon stayed in Tokyo to help Naomi and I packed and send all their things
4.I turned over all my classes and prepared to move to Tokyo

Did you pick one? Good! You're right! They're all true.

(I've saved excuses 5 to 5,793 for a future post)

We've been up in the air over this move for some time, (that's why my arms are so tired) but when it finally became clear, things have moved so fast that I haven't had time for much else-- Sorry! I'm writing now, because thought I'd better let you know before I'm in Tokyo. I'm, in fact, traveling this weekend to make final arrangements for housing.

Why move?

Well, as you perhaps know, we moved to this beautiful mountain city two years ago, in large part to take the place of a family on their missionary way to Africa. Well, as the line from the Scots poem that's my title says, in English, 'The best-laid plans of mice and men / often go awry'-- And the couple ended up being in Africa months instead of years.

That time, plus the time it took for them to initially get off and, upon returning, to know where and how to get back on, led us up to early this year, when we, ourselves, began to see the need to move-- or, more clearly, the lack of need for us to stay. We already knew of situations where we could be more useful, but it took us until now to orchestrate the various ingredients-- kids schooling, work and ministry responsibilities etc.

As I said, when the pieces did begin to fall in place over the summer, the pace quickened and thus, I'm letting you know now, almost as I'm flying out the door.

We are very excited about our move. The Tokyo Metropolitan area contains more than a quarter of Japan's population and is exciting and challenging-- lots of people, lots of activity and unlimited opportunity-- for us this means potentially a greater part in helping to reach out to others for Jesus. I'm looking forward to doing a lot more teaching of Bible courses and Seminars, more writing and performing, as we did in Fukuoka.

I have a large backlog of posts to be polish and published, but it may be a couple weeks before I can get back into a regular rhythm of posting-- photos too . I hope no one has been holding their breath for the photos I promised to post on line and link to- sorry.

And please write, I always answer my e-mail.

Note: *This post's title is from To A Mouse a Scots poem by Robert Burns (1759-1796)

Another Set of Tokyo Photos Posted on Picasa-- Ueno Science and Natural History Museum

Andrew saw a huge sculpture of a whale on our trip to the zoo-- and, of course, he couldn't resist asking... and, since our departure was delayed, the science and natural history museum was next on our agenda.

We'd planned to hitchhike and visit friends for ten days or so-- traveling in a large loop around Honshu Island. However, each phone call seemed to bring another change of plans for those we planned to visit-- and thus for us.

We ended up spending the entire time in Tokyo-- But no complaints, there was lots to explore, people to meet and plenty to do.

You can find the photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/bruce.japan/TokyoScienceAndNaturalHistoryMuseum#

Tokyo Ueno Zoo

Andrew was determined to see the zoo-- the one place he'd really wanted to see last year when we did a walking tour of Tokyo on the hottest day in recorded Japanese history.

The Zoo is in the large Ueno Central Park-- full of not only trees and fountains, but also home to performing arts centers, art museums, a science and natural history museum and more. The photo at left-- part of a set found here-- shows the National Museum, a fountain and a homeless man-- of which there are many in the park.

I love zoos-- and this was one of the most pleasant I've been to-- surprisingly spacious for the center of Tokyo and uncrowded, in spite of it being a holiday. There were lots of trees, pleasant enclosures for the animals and.... oh, don't feed the gorillas.

I've posted a set of thirteen zoo photos on Picasa.

Japanese Serow – Prefectural Animal of Nagano

To avoid the mid-day heat last month, I explored a trail that runs along a ridge at the base of the highlands above Chino, Nagano. The level trail is cut into the steep rocky slope just a dozen or so meters above the roads and houses, shaded by a heavy, mixed forest, with frequent spaces providing nice views of the valley and the Yatsugatake mountain range beyond.

Last Monday, having just arrived from Tokyo and needing to walk from the train station about thirty minutes to where I teach, I decided to take the trail again-- my third time. To my surprise, I came upon what at first I thought to be a deer-- but it was black. I then noted its terrier-like bearded head and small spike-like horns-- a mountain goat!

I took about ten photos-- none very good, sad to say, as I wasn't very close. It curiously watched me the whole time, even enduring when I unwittingly and repeatedly used the flash (it was heavily shaded where we stood). I later learned that such a sighting is quite rare, especially so close to the city. Locals even suggested I contact the local newspaper.

It looked very healthy and strong-- and moved powerfully and gracefully up the hill when I tried to get a bit closer. It looked a lot stronger and more powerful than the photos and descriptions I have found on line. The site that I felt gave the best description is here.

Tokyo 'Net Rooms' Offer Help

This is my letter to the editor regarding 'Behind the News: Is communal living the key to a happy society? 19 August 2008

[note: I had to remove the link to this article, as after a few days the paper's articles are archived, and require a fee-- sorry. Lesson learned. Next time I will at least summarize what what in the article. If you do need to find it for any reason, go to: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/info/database/ It's a 525yen monthly fee.]

Dear Editor: During my recent trip to Tokyo, I was amazed at the intensity of the city-- while at the same time noticed those who stuggle at the fringes of this massive 'machine'.

I wish the Tokyo 'net rooms' and related projects success in helping those who find themselves outside the limited graces of our increasingly cold self-seeking society. Sadly, we rarely notice those who have fallen 'off the grid' into isolation, destitution, desperation and despair-- except briefly when some turn to crime, suicide or random acts of violence.

We all benefit from our connections to our families, friends, co-workers, neighbors and fellow citizens-- nationally and internationally. However, 'intentional communities'-- a broader term of which the article's mention of communes is part-- increase our interdependence. They increase the power of 'us' when so much energy is being channeled into 'me'.

More than an aid for those who are desperate and have nothing, cooperative living is also an option for those who have everything and want more. Having experienced living in Christian communities in nine countries for nearly forty years, I see cooperative living as a powerful, beneficial, caring, loving alternative for our world-- as opposed to the 'New World Order' of selfish dog-eat-dog materialistic aggression and its ultimate fulfillment in war.

Where are more entrepreneurs of love?-- the World needs you!

Bruce, Nagano

Tokyo Ueno Zoo

Andrew was determined to see the zoo-- the one place he'd really wanted to see last last year when we did a walking tour of Tokyo on the hottest day in recorded Japanese history.

Ueno Zoo is in the large Ueno Central Park-- full of not only trees and fountains, but also home to the National Art Museum, performing arts centers, various other art museums and a science and natural history museum. Photo at left in part of a set found here-- the National Museum, a fountain and a home-less man-- of which there are many.

I love zoos-- and this was of the most pleasant I've been to-- surprisingly spacious for the center of Tokyo and uncrowded, in spite of it being a holiday. There were lots of trees, pleasant enclosures for the animals and.... oh, don't feed the gorillas.

I've posted a set of thirteen zoo photos on Picasa.

Out and About

Well, Andrew and I are off for another summer holiday adventure. We always meet lots of interesting people and they often visit this site, so... HELLO! Welcome.

To see how we will be traveling, check this post from last year:


Holiday Hitching Japanese Style


We'll post our adventure's story and some photos in about ten days.

An Ode to My Phone-Camera-- and Moving On

For several years, nearly all my photos have been taken with the nice 3.2 megapixel camera in my Sharp cell phone. Given good light, a steady hand and an immobile subject, I was able to get some good results and move them to my computer via the flash memory card.

Here is what I learned from using this camera:

If you always have your camera with you and easily accessible, you'll get lots of shots.

The more photos that you take, the more likely you are to get something special.

Holding the camera with two hands and resting on something solid makes clearer pics.

Here is an article that incorporates much of what I learned:

A Dozen Ways to Take Better Camera-Phone Pictures

However, for low light and action situations I wanted something more than its tiny lens, so a few months ago I began to research to see what I needed and how to get the best 'bang for my buck'.

... see my search in part two: DSLR or a Digicam?

DSLR or a Digicam?

I'd seen digital SLR camera prices tumble since I first looked at them. However, I questioned if, in the course of my day, I would walk around with such a large camera. Was I ready to become Mr. Photog?-- Or would I end up with the camera buried in my bag or, worse, left at home?

Price was my main determiner. I could only afford to get one camera, so I needed one that would serve my purposes-- not necessarily my every desire for a 'super' camera, but one that would capture what I wanted to save or share of my life-- a 'story-telling' camera.

I found two articles that I feel are especially well-written intros to digital cameras. The first calls getting an SLR-- with through the lens viewing and a much larger sensor to capture the image-- a 'no-brainer'-- unless portability is an issue: Snappy Reflexes

And a second, more in depth article-- with the author's

Quick Points for Readers in a Hurry

Here are some links to my 'products' taken with my cellphone's camera:

100 Pics on Picasa

A Few Fotos on Flickr

next, part three: I Finally Decide

I Finally Decide and Get a Canon PowerShot

While I looked long and hard at finding a used Nikon D40, Canon Rebel EOS XT, or Pentex K100D, my need for portability and adaptability-- a camera that I would always have with me and one that would also take videos-- tipped the balance in favor of a non-DSLR for me-- for now. So I started looking for something with as many as possible of the following attributes: lots of settings, including full manual standard SD memory card AA batteries at least a 5 mega-pixel chip Apparently, the image quality the chips delivered had leveled off at about 5 MP, with not much difference in further tweaks the manufactures had done to get 6 or more mega pixels of information on them. I finally decided that the Canon PowerShot A-series met all my conditions, and I set out to a large electronics store to see a A-570is that was on sale-- then to the second-hand section of a large camera shop. There I found what seemed to be a super deal on a Canon PowerShot S2is-- so cheap that I snapped it up and was out of the shop without even testing it. But before I was home I was having second thoughts as the Canon 'S' series cameras are nearly as large as a DSLR-- then I found that the sensor was dead. I was actually relieved, both that it was guaranteed and that I wasn't stuck with something that I wasn't totally happy with. I got my money back and instead chose a used six-megapixel PowerShot A540 at an equally good price. It was actually less, so I got a high-speed SD card, some rechargeable AA-batteries and charger and a camera case to wear on my belt-- since the PowerShot isn't really shirt-pocket size. Next: Using My New Baby