べーえむべー。

自転車の色の決めかたも様々。

このお客様は車の色が気に入ったらしく、

bmwディーラーにいって、

調べたそう。

メタリックのライトブルーが

バークレーの夏に結構似合っている。

—

choosing colours can always be challenging.

somehow it marks us.

as many colours that exist,

there are many ways to get there.

there is always an element of surprise

but when things translate smoothly, its always gratifying.

this particular customer was inspired by a car colour.

the icy light blue suits a berkeley summer day.

nyc

久しぶりにニューヨークへいってきた。

やっぱり、ここはアメリカでは自分の故郷のよう。

空気がとにかく違う。

夏の暑さは東京なみだけど、

皆活きているパワーが違う。

今回は友達の自転車を借りて、

ブルックリンへも行った。

フラフラしながらも自転車から見たニューヨークも◯。

今回のおみやげ。

omiage from nyc.

new york city will always be my birthplace in the US.

my heart beat quickens

even when i am feeling like a sloth in the unforgiving heat.

walking between pain, anguish and immense beauty.

the pace is good and the expression is abundant.

this time thanks to good friends,

i had the opportunity to see the city from a bicycle and

meet brooklyn and queens.

i even got to say a heartfelt farewell to my favourite bar

that is closing in its current location.

feeling the times change.

until next time.

two crews and a north berkeley street corner.

28 years ago we used to go around on our bicycles,

him and his younger siblings/cousins

and me, my younger brother and friend from the building.

we had a healthy rivalry and marked our territories;

him and his crew around the corner

and me and mine on our street (especially around our building).

the fruit trees, the two big plum trees on our street

and the fig tree facing our lot was at times

the center of our young turf wars.

since we were always outnumbered-

our three versus,

at least their five,

we were alert, ready and superficially brave.

after school i would do laps around the building or the block

with my pal who lived downstairs

and my younger brother (in that order)

with a self righteous fervor.

if we let our presences be known

we could avoid an ambush.

sometimes an extra jeer or soggy plum in the face

resulted in head-to-head heated confrontation.

—–

many years later, this fellow from around the corner

was a dedicated employee here at jitensha studio.

and now he is an owner of an ebisu.

humbling times.

with appreciation for the friendship and

support from this former neighbour over the years.