tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75001231948852616872023-09-06T18:40:09.925+09:00The Life of MeTracking my adventures and experiences. I live and travel throughout Asia. I write; I shoot photos, and make films. Life is full of amazing things and places so I want to share them with the world through this Blog. I want to post topics, tips, and good things from life.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-35757219590093204892011-06-01T12:38:00.002+09:002011-06-01T15:34:32.325+09:00Releasing my Film Online<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx1BKmL84bxt2umvkDu5MCEOUJAVSVbEqYUQs33xx1NVjg1CXdfazwPY49RJ1xL3ILtvaXnMoXUhI8k4tPJXg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">"From the Heart of Asia"</div><br />
I've decided to release a documentary I shot about Mongolia online. It's called "From the Heart of Asia" and this is only a small segment as an example. I did this years ago for a Japanese company and it was for an online web-documentary portal. The project took me over a year to shoot and required living and travel throughout Mongolia. One key concept and format is that I met various people along the way at which point I'd film. I would appear unannounced and interviewed locals to get their life perspectives and stories. The method was to ask 3 questions at a time and allow them to answer them all together in dialog. Usually 3 cameras were used to get all the vantage points. This created a more visceral result and gave the effect of being a ghost in the room and listening to someone narrate about their world. I also captured the events of the Nadaam National Games. It's an event that celebrates strength, harmony, and precision. (Wrestling, Overland Horse Racing, and Archery). This was my first film and a great learning experience. The basic framework and my narration was scripted but most of the film otherwise was not. Although looking at it now, I find it could at times be slow. It's never boring and the visual imagery is beautiful. Adding to it is an incredible soundtrack of traditional Mongolian folk music. Here's a segment posted as a test as to how the site handles video. Be patient, I'm still learning...Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-34669505117363801352011-05-24T02:22:00.000+09:002011-05-24T02:22:50.716+09:00I Had a Hard but Great Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o90hsQ_f8qw/TdqVmD8dCfI/AAAAAAAAA34/xkJUX_1ijmM/s1600/DSC_6180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o90hsQ_f8qw/TdqVmD8dCfI/AAAAAAAAA34/xkJUX_1ijmM/s400/DSC_6180.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Spent the day cleaning and clearing mud, debris, and materials from Mr. Moto's home. It was hard work and extremely hot inside the waterproof gear we had to wear. The soil we bagged form the silt and sludge was toxic. It's full of oil, sewage, chemicals, decay, and things that smelled awful. First all the debris had to be carried away. Then underneath anywhere from 4 to 6 inches of mud had to be shoveled into sandbags and carried to the roadside. The team worked nonstop and were amazing. I'll post more details later. Too tired to write anymore. Below is just and example of one small section. There were lots more here on site.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-go7yxMxy4W0/TdqW_KPVS6I/AAAAAAAAA38/i9wM7SZruyU/s1600/DSC_5965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-go7yxMxy4W0/TdqW_KPVS6I/AAAAAAAAA38/i9wM7SZruyU/s400/DSC_5965.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZL9EaRnEeA/TdqXeHaU9aI/AAAAAAAAA4E/zRRyUTiAoF0/s1600/DSC_6171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZL9EaRnEeA/TdqXeHaU9aI/AAAAAAAAA4E/zRRyUTiAoF0/s400/DSC_6171.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>I think I'm going to sleep well tonight.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-80750853519353487032011-05-22T23:25:00.001+09:002011-05-22T23:25:08.413+09:00Long DayToday I left Tokyo at dawn. Traveled to Sendai in Tohoku and then took a rented 4x4 to go to the disaster area. Filmed and shot a remote makeshift aid station. The desolate neighborhood had lost over 150 local residents. More abandoned homes than inhabited ones. Someone from the relief group walked the streets with a bullhorn to announce the meal distribution. At which point tired and haggard people came to collect portions of rice, pickled Japanese plums, stew, and boil cabbage. They brought their own pots and bowls to bring home. The aid station was in a dilapidated community center. A small tarp served as the clean serving area. The smell here is pungent. It is of spoiled seas, dead fish, mildew, decay, and marshy earth. It's raining today. It's chilly and damp. Here there is still no electricity and water. The people here are not refugees but they are stranded in their own homes. Food deliveries here come every other day. Many still miss meals and the ones served are very basic in terms of subsidence. I can't believe it's been 2 months. Tomorrow we wake up early again and go assist in clean up. We are to wear rain gear, steel soled boots, masks, leather gloves, head lamps, helmets, and goggles. It will hard and dirty work. Conditions filthy, muddy, and hazardous. It is hard to imagine that people live in this situation. Now more than ever help is needed. The over crowded trend of Golden week volunteers have left. There are less here now. Rainy season comes soon...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-18604128319775830282011-05-22T01:18:00.001+09:002011-05-22T01:18:56.095+09:00Leaving for here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lj6ZYEaG9x8/Tdfk6kKB11I/AAAAAAAAA30/RK5P5DVFpLc/s1600/DSC_5131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lj6ZYEaG9x8/Tdfk6kKB11I/AAAAAAAAA30/RK5P5DVFpLc/s640/DSC_5131.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Going back in a few hours. Not much to say. Although things at times may seem slightly out of focus the reasons for going are crystal clear.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-8469811855397471932011-05-21T04:24:00.004+09:002011-05-21T04:39:34.805+09:00Round 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u0rgANT1f4U/Tdask8UYlPI/AAAAAAAAA3o/ojEUn4UVzPs/s1600/DSC_5190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u0rgANT1f4U/Tdask8UYlPI/AAAAAAAAA3o/ojEUn4UVzPs/s400/DSC_5190.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As it's been 2 months and the time has passed like a blur. Although not as present in the news and world media, the situation remains dire. The situation with the nuclear reactors confirmed that one of the reactors had a full meltdown on the first day. We've been given the news but on information regarding what this means and what dangers this poses. With this there's still the situation of displaced people and refugees in shelters. From conversations I've had with people who've recently returned, there's a lot of refugees in shelters still not receiving sufficient support. Even now many shelters are not able to provide hot or properly cooked meals. Most meals served have been limited to rice balls, instant soups, and food brought in by volunteers. Many refugees remain uncertain about their immediate future. It's important that people here are aware of these things. With this in mind;<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdWd64if56c/TdastDL9jFI/AAAAAAAAA3s/AJ8KWbVnTlU/s1600/DSC_5157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdWd64if56c/TdastDL9jFI/AAAAAAAAA3s/AJ8KWbVnTlU/s400/DSC_5157.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I'm departing for Tohoku again Sunday to volunteer in clean up assistance and to work as a photographer. I've been asked by a company to go with a team to the area around Ishinomaki in order to document and assess the current situation. Afterwards the report and images gathered will enable them to coordinate aid and address critical needs. Unlike the other trips I've made, this time the team will take the Shinkansen to Sendai then rent a 4x4 for the excursion to the disaster area. Instead of a 5 to 7 hour drive, the Shinkansen will get us to Sendai in about 2 hours. We'll go to the disaster relief command center for the NGO Peace Boat. At which point we attend several briefings and will be given our clean up duty assignments. We are instructed to be prepared with head lamps, rugged clothing, leather gloves, boots, dust masks, rain gear, and safety goggles. Going inside the structures will have hazards that require proper protection. I look forward to this trip as it's yet another opportunity to make a difference. Whether it's cleaning a home, a business, or public building; it all contributes to bringing the community back to life. It's round 3, I look forward to the next.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-13141957286567597402011-05-19T03:17:00.000+09:002011-05-19T03:17:27.710+09:00Night Sushi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSm_couQSOQ/TdFl880qJlI/AAAAAAAAA3I/sThhQUGSQMA/s1600/DSC_5439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSm_couQSOQ/TdFl880qJlI/AAAAAAAAA3I/sThhQUGSQMA/s400/DSC_5439.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>I'm going to have to admit that I've been slacking a bit on the writing. More discipline needed on my part perhaps, but actually I've recently been extremely busy. Since the last post and this one, I took a break from writing for a while. Part of getting back to normal means making up for lost time. Things at work and life have gotten rather busy. With that in mind another aspect of normalization is finding time to slow down. I did that too. During the month after the earthquake despite a lot of things being shut down, no one could say they slowed down. The pace and pressure of life accelerated as days blurred into each other. Now after two months I can say things in Tokyo are back to as they were. Hence tonight's excerpt. I worked an unusually tough day. Got home and went on a very long and hard run. I don't jog, I run. There's a huge difference. Jogging is pleasant and fun and a near low impact form of exercise. It's gentle and can be a social event. Running is different. It's getting on the road, going hard and fast, as well as losing yourself. It hurts, it's challenging, and when you are done you have a sense you overcame your weaknesses and urge to quit. The best part is that in the aftermath, you feel great, and in the process of enduring you think clearly. It's a brutal form of meditation and I highly recommend it to anyone. After runs I get hungry. When this strikes me I'm left with amazing food cravings. It could be pizza, pho, burgers, Chinese food, etc... Tonight it was sushi. Therefore I'm writing about my favorite place for it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xp-qArfFlRo/TdFpJcaewwI/AAAAAAAAA3U/3I4eLrnw_l0/s1600/DSC_5438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--v0SOT-2xEE/TdII6AJ2cBI/AAAAAAAAA3c/hQFjXFmdaKM/s1600/DSC_5446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--v0SOT-2xEE/TdII6AJ2cBI/AAAAAAAAA3c/hQFjXFmdaKM/s320/DSC_5446.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
So I went out for sushi at 1:00 AM. The evening was unseasonably cold and I headed down to a narrow alley near my apartment. Nestled a short distance from the main road is a quaint sushi bar. It's open until 3:00 AM. A 12 seat bar/restaurant with a long counter. It's wooded interior is warmly decorated with traditional Japanese crafts. Inside a friendly non English speaking chef named Shibuya-San runs a one man operation. He's been here for ages and has a regular following of customers. On any night anyone from a simple local businessman to a famous Japanese TV/Movie personality can be seen eating here. Tonight as I stepped in from the darkness, it's just he and I. He's a skilled chef and told me it took him 15 years of apprenticeship to master this art. Here in his shop there's no menu. Customers either know a certain type of sushi top of mind and order it. Or he'll make something to suit their tastes. As for me, he always makes me a variety of the things I've noted I liked and each time he'll make and introduce to me at least one of two items that are new. It's a great way to learn about sushi and this type of Japanese culture. He executes orders with incredible speed and beautiful presentation. I'm quite fascinated by anyone who's good at what they do. With Shibuya-san he's taken a craft and turned it into art. Each piece of sushi is perfectly rolled in oiled rice and wrapped tightly enough that they never fall apart. The fish is always the best choice fish and extremely fresh as he goes to the market each day before opening shop. The seaweed, wasabi, soy sauce he chooses, and even the teas compliment the beautifully laid out food. Each time I have to stop and take a nice long look before I make the tough selection of which one goes first.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7evdVcVUio/TdQI9n1qUrI/AAAAAAAAA3k/MmESsIBVGHU/s1600/DSC_5440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7evdVcVUio/TdQI9n1qUrI/AAAAAAAAA3k/MmESsIBVGHU/s400/DSC_5440.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
There's always good conversation with him. Every time I come here I loose a little bit of my troubles at the door and forget about them after I leave. Sushi is not always about food, it's as much that as it is the experience of having it made and presented to you. It's the ambiance of the moment and a witnessing of mastery. This I've learned from Shibuya-san and my many visits to my favorite sushi bar in the world. As I've not written in a while I wanted to write about it and share with you all one of my secret little hideaways from life's daily grind. It was a good night. I slowed down.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-85406780681508041082011-05-11T01:19:00.007+09:002011-05-11T01:59:18.716+09:00The Amusement Park<div style="margin: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706973827/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/5706973827_cb06807d87_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5707538006/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/5707538006_e9da4e49d8_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706973309/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/5706973309_78f4da98a1_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5707537826/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2038/5707537826_6100632585_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706973065/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/5706973065_f41d7e2494_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5707537642/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2240/5707537642_6ff198023e_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5707537546/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2402/5707537546_bd2c9541ea_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706972803/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/5706972803_09024c4b6b_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5707537354/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/5707537354_1fee8d9f87_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706972613/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/5706972613_02820200a3_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706972467/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3531/5706972467_3e077b88d7_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5707537034/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/5707537034_e9538d38ae_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5707536904/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/5707536904_63ee4c7c19_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5707536792/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2012/5707536792_d35cbc947d_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706972055/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/5706972055_ddb6a7751f_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706971627/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/5706971627_36ae6d98e5_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706971563/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/5706971563_d074cbcee4_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706971517/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/5706971517_573c8a0b1b_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5707536090/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/5707536090_634c5daaed_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706971335/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/5706971335_c21d2a0492_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706971249/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/5706971249_172f9f8479_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706971143/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Amusement Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/5706971143_1aa5e3701b_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5707535744/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Children's Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Children's Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/5707535744_1cb7ea61ca_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5706970425/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Ulaan Baatar Children's Park"><img alt="Ulaan Baatar Children's Park" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/5706970425_db8251344e_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/">linhvienthai's photostream</a> on Flickr.<br />
During Golden Week I had some time to organize my photos. There were a lot which I had not seen in years and some from hard drives and disks that I had to rescue. Finding lost things is always good. Many of the shots posted above; I thought I had lost forever. Gladly They've been rediscovered. Herein the entry for tonight. These were taken years ago during a cold winter day. As I recall it was late afternoon when I came to this children's park. It was -20 C and steadily dropping as the sun was setting and the weather turning. This park was centrally located in Ulaan Baatar and at the time of these photos the place was closed for the season. I was the only person on site and had it to myself. I like places like these. It's always interesting to visit somewhere long after the crowds leave. It's the same feeling as an empty boardwalk on the beach after summer. All the stands and shops shut and the festive things frozen in time. There's a spookiness here that charms in the gloom. Although silent it's not difficult to recall or imagine the sounds of crowds, music, laughter, screams, and mechanics. The Carousels, Ferris Wheels, Mini Roller Coasters, Boats, and other amusements were left out in the open as if their keepers just walked away after boarding up the ticket booths. The park had the rough simplicity that came from a bygone Soviet era. Nothing grand but very suitable for family outings and a child's imagination. It served well for many of the people that came here. Although it's likely that people elsewhere have more sophisticated and glittery amusement parks; to a kid it's all relative and this was likely a location of good childhood memories. I heard that a season or two after I shot these photos that the park was finally closed forever. I can understand why as it seemed to have had a very long and steady decline. There's likely not many remnants of it left and most of attractions and venues are gone. Finding these lost photos brought me back here again and made my day.</div>Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-53145648987748917632011-05-10T01:09:00.001+09:002011-05-10T01:09:08.063+09:00linhvienthai's photostream<div style="padding: 0; overflow: hidden; margin: 0; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703961198/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/5703961198_f78671d6d6_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703959190/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/5703959190_dca7b2d496_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703957292/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5703957292_7cf88d9393_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703389243/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/5703389243_60e9b3399d_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703954696/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/5703954696_4eb8dfdaa4_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703385909/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2149/5703385909_7d609eae42_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703384033/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/5703384033_89980ba763_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703382209/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5703382209_4e2fce6e76_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703380581/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5703380581_396c41d97a_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703379003/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/5703379003_92a2c5bdbf_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703377271/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2112/5703377271_45f78ed297_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703942444/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/5703942444_0255a4a59f_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703373497/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5703373497_302835c1d5_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703371219/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2661/5703371219_ce57c522bb_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5703369193/in/photostream/" title="Inland Ship" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/5703369193_686caaf082_s.jpg" alt="Inland Ship" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692232574/in/photostream/" title="DSC_5068" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5692232574_fd85787cd9_s.jpg" alt="DSC_5068" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692151726/in/photostream/" title="DSC_5098" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5692151726_2122462b82_s.jpg" alt="DSC_5098" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691579955/in/photostream/" title="DSC_5028" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5691579955_b6e2fdc16a_s.jpg" alt="DSC_5028" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692149710/in/photostream/" title="DSC_5027" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5692149710_5637248390_s.jpg" alt="DSC_5027" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691578337/in/photostream/" title="DSC_5026" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5691578337_c556098016_s.jpg" alt="DSC_5026" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691576791/in/photostream/" title="DSC_5023" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5691576791_ee92338682_s.jpg" alt="DSC_5023" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692146764/in/photostream/" title="DSC_5017" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5692146764_f8631b1d96_s.jpg" alt="DSC_5017" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691575163/in/photostream/" title="DSC_5004" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5691575163_3c7d21a5c5_s.jpg" alt="DSC_5004" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692145448/in/photostream/" title="DSC_5003" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5692145448_1cc729bfa6_s.jpg" alt="DSC_5003" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px"><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/">linhvienthai's photostream</a> on Flickr.</p></div><p>It's hard to imagine a ship so far inland. I was walking through this valley shooting photos and from a distance I noticed this ship sitting atop a great deal of debris. I could not help but want to explore. I came up to it and climbed on board investigating it. It was tilted and pointed it's bow towards the valley. There were many punctured holes in the hull, but all seemed fixable. Surprisingly the cabin and bridge looked fine. Although taken in by the tsunami it was remarkably in relatively good shape. As it was carried in, it must have collided with buildings, houses, vehicles, and other structures. It's likely reason for survival was that it offered no resistance to the forces around it and was moved about fluidly. It's one of the sights I'll remember for a lifetime.</p>Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-53031481935042964462011-05-08T04:35:00.000+09:002011-05-08T04:35:49.418+09:00Lighten Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wA2zfH73mCg/TcWTLsUptOI/AAAAAAAAA1c/XNxKIWHvqy8/s400/DSC_5366.jpg" width="400" /></div>No matter how stressful and hectic life gets something always comes around to lighten things up. It hits when you least expect it and you've just got to laugh out loud and enjoy doing so. Hence this picture. I was sitting in a car staring out the window and being just a bit too serious. Then literally out of the blue comes this thing. This car is a corporate campaign character called “ぴちょんくん” (Pichokun). The vehicle is for the Daikin Air-Conditioner company's <a href="http://www.eco-tabi.jp/main.html">Eco Seed project</a>. These cars distribute sunflower seeds to people all over Japan and their aim is to deliver seed packages to 100,000 people. The premise is that sunflowers consume a large amount of C02, thus making the environment greener. Who ever dreamed up this hare-brained idea had good sense to them as these character cars seem to have a positive energy about them. All along the highway this car was turning heads, having people snap impromptu mobile phone camera shots, and causing a lot of pointing. I'm not sure what the Daikin Company is all about and if their products are indeed greener. I'm not even the least bit interested in plugging or endorsing these guys via my blog. What I can say is that seeing this thing rolling down road was funny. As life here has been somewhat intense lately this was a much welcomed distraction. With that in mind I took it easy today.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-57677655860372842842011-05-08T03:41:00.003+09:002011-05-08T03:44:05.090+09:00The Train<div style="margin: 0pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 0pt; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692232574/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_5068"><img alt="DSC_5068" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5692232574_fd85787cd9_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692151726/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_5098"><img alt="DSC_5098" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5692151726_2122462b82_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691579955/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_5028"><img alt="DSC_5028" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5691579955_b6e2fdc16a_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692149710/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_5027"><img alt="DSC_5027" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5692149710_5637248390_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691578337/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_5026"><img alt="DSC_5026" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5691578337_c556098016_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691576791/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 0pt 10px; width: 75px;" title="DSC_5023"><img alt="DSC_5023" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5691576791_ee92338682_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692146764/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_5017"><img alt="DSC_5017" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5692146764_f8631b1d96_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691575163/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_5004"><img alt="DSC_5004" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5691575163_3c7d21a5c5_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692145448/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_5003"><img alt="DSC_5003" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5692145448_1cc729bfa6_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692144136/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4996"><img alt="DSC_4996" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5692144136_b617ab54dc_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691572733/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4994"><img alt="DSC_4994" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5691572733_7143981f81_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691571973/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 0pt 10px; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4983"><img alt="DSC_4983" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5691571973_d9590b1dac_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692142064/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4982"><img alt="DSC_4982" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5692142064_159cddb7b0_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692141424/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4980"><img alt="DSC_4980" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/5692141424_58038f98b2_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691570283/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4979"><img alt="DSC_4979" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5691570283_b75106031e_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692140242/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4977"><img alt="DSC_4977" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5692140242_90d1f16ddf_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691569167/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4976"><img alt="DSC_4976" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5691569167_5e28b7d0da_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5692139490/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 0pt 10px; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4975"><img alt="DSC_4975" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5692139490_840b928cc5_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5691568301/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4974"><img alt="DSC_4974" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5691568301_d88545626b_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5605638049/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4550"><img alt="DSC_4550" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5605638049_9a1e7677c4_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5606219020/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4509-Onagawa-Helo"><img alt="DSC_4509-Onagawa-Helo" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5606219020_2113464ce5_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5605634105/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4502"><img alt="DSC_4502" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5605634105_16f8362a8b_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5606215148/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4499"><img alt="DSC_4499" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5606215148_15e403c8cb_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/5606213250/in/photostream/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0pt 0pt 10px; width: 75px;" title="DSC_4417"><img alt="DSC_4417" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5606213250_664a228ff9_s.jpg" style="border: medium none; height: 75px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 75px;" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26341279@N05/">linhvienthai's photostream</a> on Flickr.<br />
The first time I saw the train it was plowed into a house. As our vehicle crossed over what was left of a few railroad tracks I spotted it far across a debris field. It was green and tan. It was bent, twisted and arched slightly upwards. From a distance it was unreal. During my first trip, I was able to go atop a hill and view that another car was pushed up the steps of a cemetery and along its path it had knocked over graves and memorials. It was on its side and resting across a walkway. I left and at home I checked to see if it was on Google Earth, surprisingly the area was and it was up to date.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EtvhT2iMLoE/TcNbxW8eNUI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/6jilqQ0XQqs/s1600/Google+earth+Image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EtvhT2iMLoE/TcNbxW8eNUI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/6jilqQ0XQqs/s320/Google+earth+Image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_8inFylvl8A/TcNbzlKP-oI/AAAAAAAAA1U/MgiRL-sAUmk/s1600/5-6-2011+11-14-16+AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_8inFylvl8A/TcNbzlKP-oI/AAAAAAAAA1U/MgiRL-sAUmk/s320/5-6-2011+11-14-16+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A few weeks later, I returned to this site to explore. I noticed that there was yet one more train which was dragged down the valley. This third car was orange and on its side. In its path it had snapped concrete with reinforced steel rebar telephone poles in half. I imagined the sounds and energy it took to move locomotives and defy gravity. I walked around them and climbed into them. Inside the seats, rails, and hand straps were in disarray. Something ordinary that we feel safe and secure riding in on any given day can be tossed about like a toy. There was a silence inside the cars and you can't help but recall and wonder about all the passengers that have shared the seats and boarded. Just standing in the midst of all this puts how fragile we are in perspective. When things like a tsunami strikes, it doesn't matter how much power or physics we've been able to resist, use, or harness. We'll never be able to control nature.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vk_VfG1o_EU/TcNp7Y0DUrI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/h2p0bcQzgYA/s1600/DSC_5068.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vk_VfG1o_EU/TcNp7Y0DUrI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/h2p0bcQzgYA/s320/DSC_5068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I continued the walk and followed the tracks to see that they led to a tunnel in which a slight glint of light from the other side could be viewed. At dark moments like these, perhaps it's not the light at the end of the tunnel that matters, but the light within. These are times when I feel people need to find a way to turn all this into something better. I shared this story not to reveal shocking imagery. I did it to raise awareness and shed some light on what's within this dark place in time. It's hard to see, but I have faith it will get better.</div>Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-53534991874400148482011-05-05T13:21:00.002+09:002011-05-05T22:01:26.834+09:00Be Moved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5VARado2TME/TcIUirxP2DI/AAAAAAAAA0o/lrKcJTgUq1Y/s1600/DSC_5032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5VARado2TME/TcIUirxP2DI/AAAAAAAAA0o/lrKcJTgUq1Y/s400/DSC_5032.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>It's mid Golden Week here in Japan and a lot of people have used their time off to do volunteer work in Tohoku. For many Japanese, Golden Week is among a few times in the year where they take vacations. Therefore the entire country shuts down together. Unlike other places where people schedule their time off according to their own requirements. Japanese take time off in mass at times such as Golden Week, Summer Obon (Ancestral Holiday), and New Years. Therefore everyone travels during these days and peer pressure usually prevents many to not take time off at other times. This year a lot are joining volunteer teams in order to contribute. It's good and I hope that the flow of philanthropy continues after the holidays. I hope that the influx of volunteers are used efficiently. It's very common here to see an inefficient use of man power. On tasks that require only 3 or 4 people, you may see that 12 are assigned. On a whole a lot of redundant tasks here are not as effectively administered as they should be. My point is that because there will be a lot of available human resources this week; I hope the orchestration and organization of the clean up/assistance will be efficiently and effectively rendered.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gaA43_MXEf0/TcIkWEwhw3I/AAAAAAAAA1M/JxFHIAfO7pg/s1600/DSC_5294.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gaA43_MXEf0/TcIkWEwhw3I/AAAAAAAAA1M/JxFHIAfO7pg/s640/DSC_5294.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
My other wish is that those who see for themselves what's happened to this beautiful country come back on their own when there are no scheduled holidays. At times like these, employers and co-workers should be more understanding in allowing their colleagues to take time off during non holiday weeks. This will be helpful as there will be a steady flow of contribution and it's not a one week trend. For those who are going this week, be moved. Be moved to come back on your own and do as much as you can. As for me, I'll be back in a few weeks. I was slated to go tomorrow, however I see that the group that I would be going up with already has too many people. I'll go when I know I'll be better needed and make a difference.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6FSR2RSHfg/TcIirLwkQpI/AAAAAAAAA04/VclX6U46G7Y/s1600/DSC_5156.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6FSR2RSHfg/TcIirLwkQpI/AAAAAAAAA04/VclX6U46G7Y/s320/DSC_5156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_NXgsH3fCA/TcIiZJpP4QI/AAAAAAAAA00/umqsLKibQx8/s1600/DSC_4967.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5ce-3cCQhI/TcIi90-QABI/AAAAAAAAA08/x7sitMsRTIk/s1600/DSC_5145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5ce-3cCQhI/TcIi90-QABI/AAAAAAAAA08/x7sitMsRTIk/s320/DSC_5145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T7tF_FeHlmI/TcIjFmPBBqI/AAAAAAAAA1E/lepMOIm2sbg/s1600/DSC_5147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T7tF_FeHlmI/TcIjFmPBBqI/AAAAAAAAA1E/lepMOIm2sbg/s320/DSC_5147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-42508567616533196152011-05-04T17:22:00.002+09:002011-05-04T23:51:08.227+09:00Blending In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1-XWoTy_o8/TcD8_sYWBgI/AAAAAAAAA0g/j9dHiwBeWgM/s1600/Daintree+Bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1-XWoTy_o8/TcD8_sYWBgI/AAAAAAAAA0g/j9dHiwBeWgM/s400/Daintree+Bird.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">If I were a 6'6" </span>über-rich<span style="font-size: small;"> maniacal leader of a secret society</span><span style="font-size: small;"> (and I'm not saying I'm not) </span><span style="font-size: small;"> poised on world disruption and domination; hiding from the CIA, NSA, MI6, FBI, and the IRS. I believe I'd pick a better place to hide than in a massive walled compound 1000 meters from the military academy of a country that's working with the U.S. on the War on Terror. I would find it a bit too bling and less incognito to have a $1,000,000 mansion located in a country where the average annual income Per-Capita is $1,051. I would do my best to blend in and stay off the radar. Likely live in a cave or the dense foliage of a jungle. In a place like Afghanistan and or Pakistan, I may even cross the line and wear a burkha. In short I would be in a less conspicuous locale laying really low. Hiding and living simply.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-Services_Intelligence"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDSAYS6s8ys/TcEB_e9z_yI/AAAAAAAAA0k/1PMYsXEv6zQ/s200/272px-Coat_of_arms_of_Pakistan.svg.png" width="172" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">That's of course if I were not being helped by say the Pakistani ISI or Inter Service Intelligence agency. Is it me or do these guys have a lot of explaining to do? How in the world can a man build a massive mansion 40 miles from their capital that's completely distinctive from the other structures in the neighborhood and no one had questions for him. Is it likely that no one came by to see what it's all about? I'm sure the concept of zoning permits has not hit Pakistan, but gee wiz; didn't a few drunken military cadets stumble upon it and try to climb over the wall to check it out? <i>"Hey guys this place may have a pool..."</i> It's as if no one had a clue or noticed anything at all. Goodness even a guy named <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/reallyvirtual%20">Sohaib Athar</a> with a Twitter Account tweeted about the SEAL TEAM's helicopter on the night of the raid. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Am I to believe that there was no assistance on their part in hiding Binny? It's amazing and will be quite interesting seeing what happens next. I read that Pakistan claims that the raid violated their sovereignty. Well as our supposed friends I think aiding and abiding Osama Bin Laden violated our sovereignty. As well as this Pakistan sat and did nothing as we lost soldiers fighting the war on terror. Let's also not forget the other terrorist attacks that have occurred since 9/11. If Pakistan knew and assisted al-Qaeda then there should be no holds barred when it comes to the war on terror in their back yard. If for some odd reason they did not know; then that's just plain stupid. .I don't know which is is worse. Having them as our enemy or having them as a friend that's completely incompetent.</span>Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-57455767424147811402011-05-03T01:54:00.001+09:002011-05-03T02:07:52.643+09:00Long Time Coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8AjQ8YzNWY/Tb7JBjFGsgI/AAAAAAAAAzo/pIN8S2-_Xr8/s1600/DSC01398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8AjQ8YzNWY/Tb7JBjFGsgI/AAAAAAAAAzo/pIN8S2-_Xr8/s320/DSC01398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unless you've been hiding in a cave today and or your own little private secret mansion with a walled compound in Pakistan; you've noticed that there's one less evil terrorist in the world. Midday today, when I clicked on my favorite source for news online, I could not believe it at first. As report after report regarding the death of the terrorist mastermind was posted, I felt vindicated. Then the president came on. Although I've never been a fan of teleprompter driven political speeches, President Obama's speech was moving. Actually his speech/announcement did not even seem political. He was upfront and inspiring. Today I'm proud of my president. Finally and a long time coming the U.S. Forces got Osama Bin Laden. After all this time of wondering if he was even still alive, we find out that he's been shacking up quite comfortably in Pakistan. Oddly his not so humble abode was right up the road from the Pakistan's primary military academy. I wonder how in the world you hide a large walled compound in the middle of a city that's close to your capital. Upon doing some research on Abbottabad I discovered this area is a scenic hot spot. Well, If you are the most wanted man on earth, hide in style. I can't help but conclude that the Pakistani government are suspect. If some mad serial killer was hiding in your back yard in a Winnebago and you had no idea he or the motor home was there, I'd start to be concerned. Anyway, a few days ago his address was Abbottabad, Pakistan. Tonight he's the newest high profile resident in "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell">Hell</a>" (Crackle Crackle)<br />
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Now with all seriousness, 9/11 was one of the worst days in each of our lives. Everyone has a memory of exactly when and where they were. It'll be something the keeps us reflecting back forever. It was not and act of war, it was an act of cold cruel murderous terror.On that day, I was on a flight to Beijing and landed in the evening. It was about 10:00 PM when I arrived at my hotel in the Wangfujing district right near the Forbidden City. I came to my room and put on the TV. As I opened my bags to settle in, I was using CNN as background noise. At first I thought I was watching a Jerry Bruckheimer film. Then I was amazed that the film's news report looked liked a real news report. With closer inspection and as I saw the iconic antenna and tower fall into a dark cloud of gray smoke, it hit me. This was real. I called a friend who worked at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. He gave me an update and it all became clear. Even as we spoke the other events of that day were unfolding. I was up all night watching news and taking calls. The next day I met my friend at the Embassy and we had lunch in the shopping alley nearby. There was an air of silent rage. At that point everything was speculation. In Beijing, our access to information was limited. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTmYKB9QO1I/Tb7LsBoJs2I/AAAAAAAAA0E/U6SUZwkFufo/s1600/WTC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTmYKB9QO1I/Tb7LsBoJs2I/AAAAAAAAA0E/U6SUZwkFufo/s320/WTC2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When I finally returned to the U.S. later that winter I visited my beloved city of New York. As I drove in on a rainy night, the ground zero site had banks of lights illuminating in the footprint of the old towers. The ghostly beams plowed upwards into the sky at heights even surpassing the original towers. With the rain, the beams of light were even more luminescent. It was powerful.New York has always been a part of me as I studied there in college. The World Trade Centers were always a landmark I used to figure out where I was. My best friend's wedding reception was held atop one of the towers in the restaurant Windows on the World. Good memories and even now as I glance at the skyline on each visit. It just feels empty. I'm not sure if the new Freedom Tower will ever fill that void. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETEXAttH2Wc/Tb7JTn9Ay8I/AAAAAAAAAzw/XU73o7LL-s4/s1600/DSC01415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETEXAttH2Wc/Tb7JTn9Ay8I/AAAAAAAAAzw/XU73o7LL-s4/s200/DSC01415.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdkxRRlD508/Tb7Jh45EATI/AAAAAAAAAz4/NMbppiL5wPA/s1600/DSC01405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdkxRRlD508/Tb7Jh45EATI/AAAAAAAAAz4/NMbppiL5wPA/s200/DSC01405.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GSokP9qI-o8/Tb7JmpgFzvI/AAAAAAAAAz8/jPY-kLRFnUY/s1600/DSC01400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div> As for the Pentagon, I know that building quite well as I started my career as an engineer there. Some of my best experiences and learning was done in that building. When I was there, they were renovating the section which was where the Army had its offices. The helipad was right on that side as well. A few years after I had left and just as they had completed the work, it was leveled by a plane filled with innocent people. It's been about 10 years, and 10 years too long for the man responsible to enjoy his freedom and status. Even in death it seems that he's receiving undue treatment. I read that in observance to his Islamic faith they gave him the proper rites of body washing, wrapped him in a white, cloth and dignified him with a burial at sea. Now I'm not saying don't bury the guy. But why worry about his dignity. What about all the unburied that he's killed. Many of the people who died because of him were Muslims and Jews who shared the same requirement in terms of funerary traditions. Many did not receive any amount of concern or respect. Dumping his body into the ocean from a ship is nice way to make sure he's not enshrined. But it's also a good way to fuel the imaginations of the kooks and conspiracy theorists out there. They should have brought him back, put him in a viewing and then dispose of him in a way where he'll never have pilgrims.<br />
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My closing thoughts are for all the families affected by this tyrant. May they find that this event brings some form of closure. It will never recover the loss, but it could perhaps bring peace. My respects go to the men of that SEAL team who will always remain nameless. Those are indeed heroes for their achievement. Thank you.<br />
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</a></div>Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-66633992102017160772011-05-02T03:05:00.000+09:002011-05-02T03:05:44.276+09:00Stark Contrast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjBoH5eU7VQ/Tb2P2ModNkI/AAAAAAAAAzY/SWT1uBPHYEA/s1600/DSC_5275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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It's amazing what can survive an earthquake and a tsunami. Spring has reached Tohoku and so has the Sakura. Right in the midst of this disaster zone, flowers are blooming. Although many trees have been snapped in half or destroyed by sea water. A few have remained and defying the gloom with their vibrant colors. On the way up, I noticed that the sakura had reached this northern area of Japan as the migrating blossoms edged northward with the warming spring. They were seen along the hillsides and around the inland areas as expected. But I was taken by surprise to see them here. As fierce as nature can be, it also can remind us that it can be beautiful when it wants to. It's an odd moment as I usually welcome them when they come each year. When you stare at a single blossom its an intricate grouping of 5 delicate pedals. Each one slightly different, light, and airy. When you stare at tree as a whole, it's as if the branches have been engulfed by a subtle pink cloud. This time around I can't seem to allow myself to get lost looking at them. The best expression to describe my feeling is "Stark Contrast." Seeing them this year gave me no sense of comfort. It's sad as when they arrive it's usually a time for celebration and lightheartedness. <br />
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</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjBoH5eU7VQ/Tb2P2ModNkI/AAAAAAAAAzY/SWT1uBPHYEA/s1600/DSC_5275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjBoH5eU7VQ/Tb2P2ModNkI/AAAAAAAAAzY/SWT1uBPHYEA/s400/DSC_5275.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Yi9YGXMC0w/Tb2WAiDANFI/AAAAAAAAAzc/1oRo4dy17KM/s1600/DSC_5314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-61066445740140437572011-05-01T01:49:00.001+09:002011-05-01T01:54:14.012+09:00Surge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U451u5HTlPU/Tbw1mssd01I/AAAAAAAAAzU/JxdB2iovYmk/s1600/DSC_5182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U451u5HTlPU/Tbw1mssd01I/AAAAAAAAAzU/JxdB2iovYmk/s400/DSC_5182.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It's Golden Week here in Japan. This means it's a week full of public holidays which are dated next to each other. Think of it as a Spring Break for all of Japan. Most Japanese have taken a few days off in order to have the entire week free. Many go on vacation and many go abroad. What I've read is that there is going to be a mass of people going north to do volunteer work. The government has noted that traffic may be heavy on the Tohoku expressway. Good news as it seems that a lot of people are going to be helping out with distribution and clean up efforts. It's a turning point as things are gaining momentum. This surge will make a difference since cleaning up enables the rebuilding of the infrastructure. One step at a time as the difficult journey back is a long one. This photo which I shot speaks more than my words can regarding this topic tonight. It captures the current spirit of things here as we are all rising above this situation together.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-19314096152949941072011-04-30T04:21:00.001+09:002011-04-30T16:36:39.545+09:00Giving<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNecT7fNvl8/Tbr9Wap3KmI/AAAAAAAAAzI/wwiyMz4uDgs/s1600/DSC_4854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNecT7fNvl8/Tbr9Wap3KmI/AAAAAAAAAzI/wwiyMz4uDgs/s320/DSC_4854.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the supply depot with the volunteers of the Peace Boat NGO </td></tr>
</tbody></table>We arrived in Ishinomaki the late afternoon from Tokyo. Our destination was <a href="http://www.isenshu-u.ac.jp/general/">Ishinomaki Senshu University</a> where various relief groups were staging their supplies and coordinating volunteering efforts. Our contact here had sent us a list of things which were needed by the various shelters and groups assisting the earthquake and tsunami survivors. These items included cooking oil, soy sauce, soup stock, noodles, eggs, broth, as well as hardware for clean up work. Sand bags were one of the most requested items on the list. These were used to contain the mud and sludge which were shoveled from homes. We purchased nearly 2,000 of these. As well as sandbags, garden hoses, crow bars, work gloves, masks, goggles. and ropes were requested and given. These supplies were stored in a warehouse and a large white tent with the UN's WFP (World Food Program) markings on it.<br />
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We organized and executed this delivery run on our own as I did not want to wait for some coordinator to decide when and if I could be on a list of volunteers to come to Tohoku. Did not think waiting was a productive option. So with many calls and emails, here we are. I'm honored to have been able to get 2 friends together to collect the funds and donations for our run. In order to make sure we made a difference, I made sure we contacted and worked with the right people. In Tokyo, I contacted 2nd Harvest who then put me in touch with the teams at the university. One active group was Peace Boat; who had a lot of youth volunteers.<br />
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Driving into the campus I was happy to see a lot of cars and a tent city which made up a crowd of volunteers. The license plates and signs showed that many had traveled from all over Japan. As volunteers it's nice to know that we are not alone so that the ones who need us are never alone. The first task was to sign up for the following day's work on a clean up crew. The second task was to drop off the hardware at the warehouse. As we unpacked I never thought I'd see people so excited to see hoses. When we showed them that we brought a few hundred meters of garden hoses a few of the depot workers cheered. Of course the sand bags and other items were also gratefully received.<br />
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With the hardware unloaded we drove over to the tent to unload the cooking supplies. Both of the storage facilities were well organized and workers hastily recorded the inventory and marked them for future distribution. Everyone on site looked exhausted but still very motivated. Any donation, effort, contribution, and assurance will definitely contribute greatly to the needy and the rebuilding of the surround area. Once we finished we left for Onagawa. I wanted my friends to see for themselves why were were there. The drive from Ishinomaki to the coastal town of Onagawa took us through a few hills and inlets. The damage had gradients which match the elevation of the places along the way. At some points there could be total devastation, then with a slight incline up a hill the area was untouched. Once back into a valley, it was again filled with wreckage. When the road opened up to a flat plain that stretched to the sea. It became difficult to find anything that was not broken or ripped apart. People's homes were nothing more than splinters and shells. The roadside and blocks were piles torn pieces ranging for cars, clothing, household items, and structures. It was as if everything was put through a shredder. There was an uncomfortable silence then a mix of bewildered words. Why did this happen became a paradoxical question. Why we had come all this way and if we were doing the right thing became clear. When you witness the remains of this type of disaster you know that entire lives were torn to bits. People are physically and emotionally ripped apart. The depth of where the tectonic plates slipped and shifted can be measured as well as the tsunami; but the pain and human cost of it all is unfathomable.<br />
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There are many events like these in the world today. I read that in the US there were many tornadoes have ravaged towns in the mid west. It all gives each of us reminder of how fragile life is. It also brings out the best and worse in us. I tend to seek out the good. At times like these anywhere, I fundamentally it's important to do something right and give what you are able. It doesn't matter if it's here or there; it just matters.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-65889725786825323662011-04-29T03:40:00.002+09:002011-04-29T11:37:12.342+09:00The Night Walk Continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQP02T4FvS4/TbmdTnB-8_I/AAAAAAAAAyo/J1N6AaAXbT0/s1600/DSC_5230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQP02T4FvS4/TbmdTnB-8_I/AAAAAAAAAyo/J1N6AaAXbT0/s400/DSC_5230.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Yesterday's typing for the Blog came off the insensitive smooth flatness of my iPad.Words are difficult to conjure when your finger tips are slippery and the analog sensation of keys is gone. Tonight, I'm back to the familiar notches and grooves of my keyboard.<br />
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I'm still taken by last night's walk through the narrow streets of Ishinomaki's main shopping and entertainment district. Low storied buildings with a small town feel and a mom and pop's sense. Now destroyed, the remnants in the shadows still cast the warmth and attention given by small business owners. Without the Japanese writing and some architectural styling, this place could be Mayberry RFD from the Andy Griffith Show. Most of the time there was nobody else there. A few vehicles roared past and left the scene. Once gone there was only the background noises which are normally drowned away by the sounds of nightlife. We are left with the echos of scattering dust and the rattling bits of broken buildings. Doors and hinges swing open and shut with the heavy winds coming in from the ocean. As I once described before there is still the pounding, scraping, humming, hissing, and clatter of steel which reverberates with the sporadic gusts. As I walked between the buildings I could not help but feel a phantom presence peering out of each doorway or window. Shadows in the darkened interiors trick the mind into seeing shapes and forms. All of which heighten perception. There's a stench of decay, dampness, and rotting fish. Most buildings are either smashed, bashed, collapsed, or pounded by cars, boats, and even ships. Yes, there are boats and ships on main street. If you saw the videos online or on TV which mentioned Ishinomaki and the tsunami. I'm walking where many of the iconic scenes played out. Even now, it's still surreal. I turned down a corner to reach the waterside. The waters slap alarmingly over parts of the seawall onto service road. The seawall now is more or less a street curb. I heard that the coast of Japan sunk by 1 meter during the earthquake. I'm certain that what I'm seeing is proof as the barrier has shortened. As the cold night air began to sting an old injury of mine, I knew that rains were on their way. By this reason decided to go back. I walked through the ghostly maze to a small business hotel. I chose to stay here in town with the primary intention of supporting local businesses. The hotel was run by an older couple who had recently been able to get it up and running. It was nothing fancy, but good enough. The pair spent a lot of time sharing with me their experiences during the earthquake, tsunami, damage, cleanup, and related challenges. For this I'll write more later. Once in my room, recalled my route as I decided to come back in the morning. A few hours later in the early morning light, I went out in the rain to shoot some of the places I ventured past in the darkness of the night. At dawn I went back out and did just that as you can see below. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PbNs0aRGFM/Tbmon_UTFDI/AAAAAAAAAys/O0_DntaRKmA/s1600/DSC_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PbNs0aRGFM/Tbmon_UTFDI/AAAAAAAAAys/O0_DntaRKmA/s200/DSC_5259.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8UG-FyNkKE/Tbmow4zh5HI/AAAAAAAAAyw/GuSDF1o02aQ/s1600/DSC_5265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8UG-FyNkKE/Tbmow4zh5HI/AAAAAAAAAyw/GuSDF1o02aQ/s200/DSC_5265.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p_tX-yXHpZQ/Tbmpok4kYGI/AAAAAAAAAy4/gYorNzSq8cI/s1600/DSC_5205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p_tX-yXHpZQ/Tbmpok4kYGI/AAAAAAAAAy4/gYorNzSq8cI/s200/DSC_5205.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnzkVkJ-WrY/TbmpcFqh14I/AAAAAAAAAy0/_6UtDxgdFdg/s1600/DSC_5307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnzkVkJ-WrY/TbmpcFqh14I/AAAAAAAAAy0/_6UtDxgdFdg/s200/DSC_5307.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>What I did notice in these early hours is that the ghost town was starting to regain living residents. There were a few people out cleaning and fixing their shops and homes. Slowly but surely the part of Ishinomaki is starting to come back to life. It's hopeful...<br />
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In my next excerpts, I'll write more about the aid delivery, volunteering, and my second trip back to to Onagawa...Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-22879413134147528982011-04-27T23:48:00.004+09:002011-04-29T01:20:05.855+09:00Sleeping in a ghost town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfNY163w8H8/TbmTH56wIwI/AAAAAAAAAyk/2pppVROva-A/s1600/Ishinomaki+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfNY163w8H8/TbmTH56wIwI/AAAAAAAAAyk/2pppVROva-A/s400/Ishinomaki+Night.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Early morning, long day. Left Tokyo and arrived in Ishinomaki by 3:00 PM. Delivered a large van full of food and hardware. People here need things such as sand bags, masks, hoses, crow bars, ropes, etc... We fulfilled a large portion of these requirements. Afterwards we went to explore the debris fields along the coastline. Tomorrow morning we are signed up for clean up crews. Teams work with locals to clean up houses and businesses. Tonight I am sleeping in Ishinimaki just a few hundred feet from tsunami ruined buildings. It is literally a ghost town. Post apocalyptic as empty dark streets are littered with wreckage, boats, ships, and completely abandoned homes/stores. The howling winds hiss with the clanging of steel. It's eerie. Walking past darkened store fronts with opened doorways and windows I often got surprised by the flapping sounds of tarps, cloths, and plastic bags. It's dark out, it's really dark here. We are very close to the sea.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-34582900454862337082011-04-27T01:31:00.001+09:002011-04-27T01:36:22.450+09:00Do you think you make a difference?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9r7DMnQpng/Tbburhz-AaI/AAAAAAAAAyc/ebWnKd6diqY/s1600/DSC_4576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9r7DMnQpng/Tbburhz-AaI/AAAAAAAAAyc/ebWnKd6diqY/s400/DSC_4576.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In a few hours I'm leaving with 2 friends and the 3 of us are going up and making deliveries. As I've written before, I feel that I owe it to this place and to the good people in Japan to do something positive. It'll be 2 months in a few weeks and things have steadily improved but there's a long way to go is ahead. What struck me was that a few foreigners that I know had asked me the same question. "Do you think you make a difference by going up there...?" It's an honest question and a perhaps the right one to ask. What gets me however is that I'm confident in saying the ones asking me have done nothing. Other than leaving Japan and returning, talking about it from afar, or telling me how it's good that I did what I did; they've done very little. In the life of each of us when the time to do the right thing comes, the voice you hear does not come from people. As for that question, my answer to all of you is "Yes." My answer to those few who "asked me in that manner is "Ask yourself the same question..." Well, I just wanted to put those words down as they somehow lingered and bothered me today. I'm not a disaster tourist. If I wanted to thrill seek; trust me I can name a lot of other things I have done and would prefer doing. What I'm doing comes from the heart. Now it's getting late and I'm packed. You never know what to expect so I'm packing well and making sure I'm prepared. Plenty of food, water, MRE(s), and harsh condition gear. You never know if an earthquake may make us stranded up there. Last time I went up a 7.1 magnitude quake hit. So, you never know, you just never know. I'll put the same words down as I did prior to going up. Nothing can go wrong if you do what's right.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e3n37Czgvf8/TbbysWyj2qI/AAAAAAAAAyg/K7MSmVh_hBk/s1600/DSC_4192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e3n37Czgvf8/TbbysWyj2qI/AAAAAAAAAyg/K7MSmVh_hBk/s320/DSC_4192.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-60752124981226513692011-04-26T12:29:00.001+09:002011-04-26T12:32:22.198+09:00Round 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8feRssPQHY/TbY4uoUELXI/AAAAAAAAAyY/v21Ut3LEDt8/s1600/GoogleEarth_Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8feRssPQHY/TbY4uoUELXI/AAAAAAAAAyY/v21Ut3LEDt8/s640/GoogleEarth_Image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Round 2. I'm well rested, recovered, heard a few good pointers, and going back into the fight. This time I'm organizing things myself with a few friends. We've made good connections at 2nd Harvest Japan and Peace Boat. Reputable organizations that have established a strong presence regarding support for the shelters and locals. We arranged for our own trucks and drivers. Then received a long list items needed. What's interesting is that a lot of what's on the list are tools, hardware, and clean up materials. With the warm weather and the flow food normalizing. People are focused on cleaning up and rebuilding. Well, I have a long day ahead in making preparations so my writing has to be brief. But I'm going back tomorrow morning and will stay for a few days. This time we'll likely be either camping or sleeping right near the shelters and disaster area. What I can say is doing it yourself may be more difficult. But it's well worth it as I feel I can exert and control more of the necessary focus on the objective of helping people. I'd like to spend as much time as possible doing the work rather than having meetings and waiting. There's a Buddhist saying which I often like to reflect upon.<br />
"When one comes upon 2 paths, take the more difficult one..." Well, hear we go, let's take in what we learn and give more than we receive.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-48524755369006535852011-04-25T03:04:00.001+09:002011-04-25T03:06:27.604+09:00Kawagoe 川越町<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzMbhipzAVQ/TbRaPFloubI/AAAAAAAAAyM/iF2qngoTZ4M/s1600/DSC_4750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzMbhipzAVQ/TbRaPFloubI/AAAAAAAAAyM/iF2qngoTZ4M/s320/DSC_4750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Perfectly clear day to escape from Tokyo for a while. About and hour out of town and I've found a whole new world to myself. I traveled northwest to the outskirts to a town called Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture. It's well known for many preserved buildings, temples, and shrines. A few places here date back 1,200 years. The city was also known as a castle town as during the 17 century in the Edo era it was commanded by the lord of nearby Kawagoe Castle. Many of the lanes and avenues in this city are time capsules. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NACZfAhzx88/TbRd7tmZV9I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/9__HKPnbNy0/s1600/DSC_4743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NACZfAhzx88/TbRd7tmZV9I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/9__HKPnbNy0/s320/DSC_4743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>One of the most iconic symbols of this place is the bell tower which tolls 3 times a day. Always something interesting to explore around every corner. Of the places I wandered to, one of the most tranquil was Kitain Temple. This place was built in 830. Within it I found a stone statue garden that has the Buddha and his 500 followers. Serene carvings rest under the shade of trees and low lined wall. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pFSoiPf8xw/TbRfMyfcAaI/AAAAAAAAAyU/de5xCrB-u90/s1600/DSC_4707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pFSoiPf8xw/TbRfMyfcAaI/AAAAAAAAAyU/de5xCrB-u90/s200/DSC_4707.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c7mHZk-dvp8/TbRZCNFKQ5I/AAAAAAAAAyI/kJ8Owezmleo/s1600/DSC_4721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c7mHZk-dvp8/TbRZCNFKQ5I/AAAAAAAAAyI/kJ8Owezmleo/s200/DSC_4721.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Kitain (<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="t_nihongo_kanji" lang="ja">北院)</span><span class="t_nihongo_comma" style="display: none;">,</span></span> or north temple was the home to the Buddhist Priest Tenkai who was an adviser to the first 3 Shoguns of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He was so well respected that when Kitain Temple was severely damaged by fire the third Shogun Itemitsu sent parts of his castle (Edo) castle to this site to replace some of the lost buildings. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onjX817nYPo/TbRY6Z7OlYI/AAAAAAAAAyA/PC2npEwc-mk/s1600/DSC_4716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onjX817nYPo/TbRY6Z7OlYI/AAAAAAAAAyA/PC2npEwc-mk/s320/DSC_4716.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>For a day's escape, this town is well worth it. I needed today and a day like this one. It was a great day.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-66703280195673516182011-04-25T01:45:00.000+09:002011-04-25T01:45:32.105+09:00Aligning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BleaVH38kbw/TbRSPLv6QmI/AAAAAAAAAx8/o1JnaI52RTw/s1600/DSC03445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BleaVH38kbw/TbRSPLv6QmI/AAAAAAAAAx8/o1JnaI52RTw/s320/DSC03445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MpZmIJzp8Ho/TbRMSBX2AbI/AAAAAAAAAx4/5u8q3jLpaI4/s1600/DSC_4569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Saturday the rainy day continued. The coffee weather was indeed welcoming. It lasted until night and kept me inside with the doors and windows cracked opened just a bit in order to hear the sound or rain. A good part of the time was spent in a briefing which prepared volunteers for the next trip. Although I have a trip that I'm engaging in on my own within the next week. This meeting was for a different run two weeks from now and organized by the same group I had gone up before. This time we'll be cooking and serving meals. From the previous groups, we heard that anything from 1,000 to 3,000 meals will be prepared. Cooking will be done outdoors using a wood burning stove/grill. Most food preparations will be done on site. Arrive to the same spot as the last trip. Stage the cooking area, cook, and serve. All whilst locals wait politely and patiently in line. I was told I'll be in charge of making the fire, preparing rice, and serving. Hard work, but worthwhile.<br />
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With this meeting I'm also aligning my mission with a friend and his company. I'm reaching out to the the contact at 2nd Harvest for name and coordinates of the shelters we'll deliver to. Thus far the list we were given detailed a week's required amount of food and perishables. The organizer hoped that we could collect as much as possible as the list was long. Our aim is to deliver a week's worth and fulfill their needs. By tomorrow I should receive word or our destination. Over all a good day to get things done.<br />
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One nice thing is that I'm now very focused on these an other activities. It is true to say that life here in Tokyo is for the most part back to normal.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-29786989952372950622011-04-23T13:13:00.001+09:002011-04-23T22:05:58.442+09:00Coffee Weather<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aoau4qedWcU/TbJIwRszUWI/AAAAAAAAAxo/ySeoM_MGxY8/s1600/DSC_3346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aoau4qedWcU/TbJIwRszUWI/AAAAAAAAAxo/ySeoM_MGxY8/s400/DSC_3346.jpg" width="337" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Roadside Coffee; En-route from Bao Loc to Dalat, Vietnam</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y9p4khDT_t4/TbJGB-9ISLI/AAAAAAAAAxg/GIa5jdjYxMk/s1600/Helo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>So far so good. It's Saturday morning and all is well. Today it's raining sideways here in Tokyo. Strong winds, damp, overcasts, grayish, and the puddles are peppered with drizzle. Perfect! My kind of day and as I would say "Coffee Weather..." Yes, I'm a rainy day type of person. Brewing up some hot Vietnamese coffee from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Add a bit of condense milk and my one vice and addiction in life is fulfilled. People that know me know me know quite well that I can't stand cigarette smoke, don't drink alcohol (not even wine), but when it comes to coffee; well, every man his weakness. I've tried some of the best coffee in the world. The most expensive and exotic came by way of a Cevet Cat's poop in Indonesia (Kopi Luwak).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jngv8O3qwEk/TbLOfhazUAI/AAAAAAAAAx0/V4MF3UpCdQM/s1600/Picture+351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jngv8O3qwEk/TbLOfhazUAI/AAAAAAAAAx0/V4MF3UpCdQM/s320/Picture+351.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cevet Cat, Indonesia</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><br />
Some genius a long time ago had the bright idea of feeding coffee beans to a weasel like cat and then picking out the seeds after it passed through its system to roast and brew. At over $100 a cup, I thought it had to be good. It was not too shabby. Nice rich taste once you convince yourself it was fine to drink. It was earthy, mildly oily, rich, and strong. However, not the best I've had. I have to say of all the coffee I've sipped and guzzled on this great earth; Central Highlands coffee from Buon Ma Thut, Vietnam is by far the best. It's reddish, richer, strong, and has a distinct aroma. I did find that Vietnamese also have some sort of weasel poop based coffee called Chon. Of course I have a few bags of it in my freezer. Maybe I'll break it out if the rain persists today.<br />
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Well, it's good that the blog today is not so earthquake and disaster focused. I'm still laying out my plans for my next 2 trips. Looks like I'll go next Wednesday for 3 days. Then the following week I'll go on Friday for the another 3 days. All good things require doing good things. But there's other things as well aside from the recent events. It's not something that's going to go away. But life is normalizing and I'm easing back into the things I enjoy. So, I'm off to attack today fiercely fully charged and caffeinated within reason...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_-g8iuIiwo/TbJLPpR0d8I/AAAAAAAAAxs/hgCmbvrpxhc/s1600/BuonMaThut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_-g8iuIiwo/TbJLPpR0d8I/AAAAAAAAAxs/hgCmbvrpxhc/s320/BuonMaThut.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cup of Coffee in Buon Ma Thut, Vietnam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-58938970975465840992011-04-22T13:26:00.000+09:002011-04-22T13:26:09.655+09:00Earthly Rewards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtTELqJP97Q/TbD_B9c13aI/AAAAAAAAAxc/cfWCGWui4Wk/s1600/DSC_4295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtTELqJP97Q/TbD_B9c13aI/AAAAAAAAAxc/cfWCGWui4Wk/s320/DSC_4295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If there were any earthly rewards for doing what's right, I think the feeling received from the ladies in this photo is beyond measure. It's a bad time for these people and as you've all read the aftershocks and quakes don't seem to cease. As of yesterday, they have completely shut off the 20 kilometer radius near the reactors. Now the 80,000 people whose homes are there can not go back to check on their homes and many of the animals that lived on the farms are completely abandoned. There are a lot of challenges ahead that require a run rate of support.<br />
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So, as noted earlier I contacted 2nd Harvest Japan and was able to receive a list of what a shelter required to operate for 1 week. Most of the list were foods and perishables. So, last night I met with my good friend who is a partner and founder of a consulting company "Adept Group." With he and his company we are self sponsoring a run to Tohoku. We will rent our own truck, travel in a group of 3, collect the goods/donations, make purchases at COSTCO; and go. 2nd Harvest will give us the point of contact and location in the Ishinomaki area where we are expected to transport the supplies. As I said earlier, why wait around to do the right thing. I don't see an obstacles in our way and we will be well prepared and equipped should anything happen while we are en-transit.<br />
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What's nice is during my planing I found out from the group I had traveled with 2 weeks ago that I am slated for another run the week after next. Again, I'm happy to contribute as much as possible. Either going it alone or with another team, it' all good. What are the reasons, what are the rewards? Look at the photo, if you look closely you'll understand.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7500123194885261687.post-58711640477582152362011-04-21T13:00:00.000+09:002011-04-21T13:00:10.152+09:00Own our own<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig3BmiUoOqk/Ta-hYnZBhpI/AAAAAAAAAxY/OAEf5_r7BTM/s1600/DSC_4505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig3BmiUoOqk/Ta-hYnZBhpI/AAAAAAAAAxY/OAEf5_r7BTM/s320/DSC_4505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Another good day and I got a lot of things done. The group which I traveled with the week before last has filled with volunteers. It's a good thing that so many people have signed up. So, instead of waiting, I've contacted a few charity organizations that have connections with shelters in Tohoku. By which I received a long list of needs and goods that these shelters to operate for 1 week. Most of the items on the list involve groceries and perishables. One helpful group has been <a href="http://2hj.org/index.php/eng_home">Second Harvest Japan</a>. So, a few calls to concerned friends locally leads to planning out our own trip. Get a truck/van collect a few things from here, and charitable minded companies, and go. It's better than stressing and waiting. I'm a strong believer in self sufficiency. It's one of the proudest things I can say about many of my fellow of Vietnamese Refugees that came to America in the wave of immigrants post 1975. Most of us came to America, refused or took minimal handouts, and accepted that in life there are no entitlements. So, it's embedded in me to be resourceful and proactive; I can't just sit around hoping that some coordinator puts me on their list. Why wait to do the right thing. Hence is the next. I'm going to sort out the logistics and try to make a run next week. As written before, it's always important to pay in forward. Never let a chance to do the right thing pass you by in life. Well, today's is short for words for me. Nothing too eventful has happened for us in Tokyo and most folks are to work and closing out deals and projects before Golden Week. I'll write more tonight.Linh Vien Thaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07907480875267385818noreply@blogger.com2