As much as I love using del.icio.us, I have to admit I get a warm fuzzy feeling when my links are stored on my own server, and if something happens to them then well that's my own damn fault. My sorts weblog will basically be the same sort of content I posted using del.icio.us, interesting stuff that doesn't warrant extended commentary, but will allow me to add more description and alternate links. You can subscribe to the RSS feed here.

I can't believe it's taken this long to come across the incredibly sick imagery of Kawahara Kazuhiko, AKA Palla. He takes photographs from the urban landscape of Osaka and mixes them to create beautiful mirrored and other interesting effects. His published book, The Book of Pallalink, is for sale in limited quantity and more work can be found on his weblog. Thanks to Jean Snow.

Digging in my pocket trying to reach some change for the laundry machine I pulled out what seems like the largest piece of lint my pockets have ever produced. It was really that big. Big enough to knit a very small mitten, and no matter how I try to justify it's existence part of me knows it just can't be. Something doesn't feel right, something is off here.

I'm fairly good at emptying my pockets before tossing them in the laundry hamper, and when I do use tissue it never goes in my pocket (can you say incubator), so where did it come from? The little bits of lint my pockets naturally produced would have been promptly picked out the moment I put them on after a wash, something I learned to do as a smoker to prevent my Bic lighter from getting clogged. But this was different. The shape and colour indicate it as a build up, a gradual build up over time of cotton fibers, like someone cleaned the dryer lint trap and stuffed it in my pocket as some kind of sick, sick joke. I wonder if there'll be anything left but a zipper, button and a handful of rivets in 5-10 years if this trend continues.

A funky little cafe on the edge of Chinatown serving up fresh baked goods and tasty espresso drinks. And if you get a chance try the sourdough.

I miss the superb bento selection at my old 7-11, but they've got bawls here! I've been trying to get my hands on that stuff for years. Not too sweet, perfect amount of carbonation and best of all -- highly caffeinated. Now if it was just half the price we could get some work done.

After what feels like my longest streak of did-I-really-just pay-5-dollars-to-rent-this piece-of-crap-movie, we finally watched something good in Crash. A heavy, heavy emotional film full of racial stereotypes (some of which I didn't know existed) and intertwining human relationships that I could not recommend more.

I'm really loving the new album from Death Cab for Cutie - Plans. The video for the single Soul Meets Body reminds me of The War of the Worlds, minus the vaporization of bodies and the pending extermination of all human life. All those musical notes coming out from under the ground and slowly dying off in the end, and the acting is, well, you decide. I've noticed a lot of talk about this major label release being a more refined, cleaner sounding album and while I agree and enjoyed previous Death Cab efforts I find the criticisms misplaced cool-kid whining.

I've been spending large chunks of my weekday afternoons writing at Serious Coffee downtown. Fairly priced good strong coffee, friendly enough staff and free Wi-Fi. Starbucks can't compete with that, although I do prefer the Starbucks decor to Serious Coffee's grandkids-have-sticky-hands upholstered seats with the plastic still on.

A suspender clad businessman dances up a fire from sunrise to sunset to keep the memory of his love alive.

One of the last books I purchased before leaving Japan was a reprint of William Eggleston's Guide. Eggleston's homage to the mundane accompanied his one-man show, and the first of colour photographs exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in 1976.

In filmmaker Michael Almereyda's newly released documentary, William Eggleston in the Real World, he "poses a fundamental question to the renowned photographer: What does it mean to see the world so differently that "common" images are converted into unforgettable photos?" Now I just have to figure out how to see this film short of traveling to New York.

William Eggleston on the web:

The Eggleston Artistic Trust

Salon Brilliant Careers on Eggleston

Getty Museum

Metacritic reviews of In the Real World

Last saturday I had the pleasure of seeing Ted Leo and his fellow pharmacists preform at a tiny club downtown. His latest power-pop album Shake the Sheets recently smacked me upside the head and made it's way into heavy-duty rotation, so it couldn't have been better timing. Despite a few technical glitches and not being able to take the stage until 11:45 or so they played a powerful set. Accustom to the camera nazis in Japan I was surprised at all the unchallenged flashes going off in the crowd, and made me wonder why I only had my crummy camera phone (Nokia 6670).

Some pharmaceutical resources:

Official Site

Timorous Me - Fan Community

Shake the Sheets - Pitchfork review

Gawker Interview

Tyler Florence is a fucking genius, or maybe I'm just hungry. We've made these twice now adding more red curry paste each time for the desired burn, and man are they good.

Separate your chicken wings into two pieces, discard the tips. Toss in olive oil, salt and pepper and bake on sheet for 40 or so minutes until crispy at 475º. Meanwhile mix together 6 tablespoons of melted butter, a tablespoon (or more) of thai red curry paste, a tablespoon of honey, the juice and zest of one lime, and a teaspoon of soy sauce. Shake cooked wings in sauce and tuck in with an icy cold Singha and bowl of steamed jasmine rice.

I took Frankie to the library downtown yesterday, signed up for a card and made our way to the youth section. The new web based catalog system is superb. The last time I was in a Canadian library they had computers for searching, in fact I think that's all you could do with computers then, that and play Asteroids. Trying to think of some classic titles I spotted a favourite, Where the Wild Things Are (to be made into a film directed by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers no less). The second to come to mind was the absolutely gorgeous series of books by architect turned children's book author and illustrator Miroslav Sasek. With the help of the librarian, who had never heard the name, we were able to track down two well worn copies of This is Paris, and This is Australia. I remember reading about how six of the original 18 books published were being re-printed, and after telling the librarian she immediately started the request to purchase the entire re-printed collection.

Buying books for Frankie is very hit and miss, but even if she doesn't appreciate Sasek's unique style I'll keep them on my side of the book case until she's ready.

If you're in Shinjuku this week be sure to stop by and check out John Sypal's exhibition, Nebraska: The Good Life, hanging at the Nikon Salon.