27.7.11

Rozelle Markets & Harry Potter



















































I bought a sewing machine for $50 at Rozelle Markets. Score! It works great too! Made a book cover with some scraps lying around the house and then bought some more fabric from Lindcraft. What to make next...

I watched the final instalment of Harry Potter today. It was brilliant! By far the best HP movie IMO.
Must say it is quite bittersweet to think that there will be no more new HP book or movie releases.

25.7.11

























I haven't touched my DSLR in ages because film is so much more fun! I always have loved film (with my Olympus Trip, Gakkenflex TLR, Holga etc) but my Yashica SLR camera has made it all the more enjoyable. I was going to write a lengthy post to elaborate but Hei Astrid's wonderful series on 'Why do you shoot film' and the 60+ responses from film photography enthusiasts articulates the many reasons why I personally enjoy shooting with film, each explanation touching a chord, that I don't feel the need to write a separate post.
Click here.
Enjoy :)

23.7.11

Simplicity - Books - Bookshelf - Yashica SLR film camera


























On a rainy day all I want to do is stay indoors with a warm cup of tea, snuggled inside my heated electric blanket on my comfy bed with a good book.

21.7.11

Why Men Cheat
























I came across an interesting article written by author Peadar de Burca (male) who interviewed 250 unfaithful men to find out why they, and other men, cheat. Here are a few excerpts from the article:

Why did I interview these men? I wanted to find out why men cheat so that I wouldn't make any mistakes when I met the woman I loved.
The media glorifies seemingly potent, powerful men - Clinton, Rooney, Jagger - no matter how they misbehave. But let me show you what real cheats are like. They're not vital or confident, not deep down. They are the most miserable men on earth. A man who cheats is not a man who is secured by the ballast of maturity and empathy. Many women don't spot these defects. And many women are surprised to know that cheating has little to do with sex. The men I talked to spoke more of 'new experiences'...
What animated their stories was being born again in another's eyes. A new woman meant a new them: briefly they could stop being their old hated self.
What doesn't fade is the thrill of having a secret life, a parallel universe where they are the stars in a movie that is dramatic, full of hidden moments and original scents. The life domestic becomes the life fantastic. Most cheats are escaping the mundane. But the worst ones need to escape themselves.
The persistent cheats want to flee themselves because they hate themselves. They aren't happy. One word to describe a cheat? Insecure. Regardless of looks or income, these men are lacking.
To date, I've spoken to almost 100 women who've been cheated on. Their stories are passionate and honest. Some women were inspring: they moved on from the cheats and blossomed. But many didn't value themselves enough to do anything but put up with it.
While I appreciate the reasons women gave for giving a second chance, I'm not buying them. Money, children, the length of time spent with their husband...these have all been mentioned, but what it really comes down to is belief - many women find it impossible to believe they can go it alone. Here's the news from the front line: most forgiven cheats don't stop. I only met one who did and that was because he became too ill to philander. Cheats are cowards and they exploit weakness. But they fear strength...
I talked to all nationalities. One was a 28-year-old Frenchman called Guy. Not a witty, urban charmer but an uncouth lump, whose face reminded me of a sofa one too many people have sat on. He had one useful feature: self-awareness. 'A man like me, a man who cheats, is a man who tells them everything, but gives them nothing,' he said. A man's actions define him, not his words. It's not what he says to you, it's what he does for you. ' But many women, they like the man who is selfish, they like the man who has problems,' said Guy, who looked like he had many...
You want to know how a man will behave in a relationship? Watch how he behaves around the people who raised him, don't just listen to what he says. How does he interact with his sisters, his mother? How does he value them? The men I talked to showed a startling lack of respect when reflecting on theirs.  
Don't focus on his job or income, focus on his energy. Does he make time for those that are close to him? Watch. Maybe you'll find that you do indeed have someone who is interested in being the sort of man that thinks of others rather than his own selfish pleasure.  
My research has been turned into a play and soon a book. I hope both will help women believe they can demand a certain standard and behaviour from their men.
 

18.7.11

Sydney CBD and Queen Victoria Building (QVB) - Yashica SLR film camera




























On the weekend, R and I went to Newtown and it pleasantly reminded me of Jiyugaoka with the interesting arts and book shops, vintage stores and cute little cafes! This is what I was looking for!
One of the things I really enjoy doing in my spare time is going for a walk, going to art and book shops, indulging myself with photography books, scavenging through flea markets and taking photos of interesting things I see. It makes my heart happy when I go into a beautifully fitted shop, stocked with pretty stationery, unique design items, an array of art and photography books on display and other one-of-a-kind vintage stock. It's strange how I'm hesitant on  spending $80 on a pair of shoes but happily swipe my debit card away on a $60 photo book (which I did on Sunday, 'tis splendid!). My mum used to tell me that as a kid, I'd always whinge asking her to buy me another picture book at the supermarket instead of going to the toy section like other normal kids. Perhaps things never change ;)

Now that I only have ten more days left until I start my new job and uni again, I think I will check out several inner-city suburbs like Newtown, Glebe and Surry Hills! Life is sweet!

On a random note, had dinner with D and T today and he asked, "When did you start taking photos all of a sudden?" and I replied, "Um...well, according to the blog it says I started since 2008 but I never told anyone about it at first." haha wow..2008 seems so long ago. I was 21 then. Now I'm heading towards my mid twenties. Sob.

16.7.11

Sydney trains - Yashica SLR film camera















































By the way, this is one of the old train carriages. Click here (a post from early last year) to see a slight glimpse of the new "millenium" trains we have in Sydney :)

Macquarie Point #2




































As much as I do complain about Sydney being small and boring, it really is a beautiful city.

15.7.11

Macquarie Point, Sydney - Yashica SLR film camera




























































































Before catching up with J, I went on a walk around the city and eventually went all the way to Macquarie Point at the perfect time - during sunset. It was really quite stunning.

I have more photos from that walk (second roll with my Yashica) and will post them up eventually.

Remnants of Autumn



The weather was wonderful for the past few weeks but now it seems that it has come to an end.
It's currently raining, the sun is covered by the grey gloomy clouds and one is required to wear scarves, coats and boots to beat the cold.

10.7.11

Meadowbank Wharf, Sydney - Yashica SLR film camera





























From top to bottom:
A seagull perched on the pier overlooking Ryde Bridge and Parramatta River; a mini-beach(?) next to the wharf; soccer field; colours on the goal posts; wattle tree


More test shots I took with the Yashica around my neighbourhood. Can you believe this was taken in the middle of winter?
I live across an expansive park next to Parramatta River and while I was taking a walk I realised how much I took it for granted! I mean, I was in awe of Ooka River in Gumyoji back in Japan, but this park is a hundred times bigger, greener and prettier!
The last photo is a wattle tree - the national colour of Australia comes from this plant :)

7.7.11

Lines, light and shadow - Yashica SLR film camera






Random test shots around the house and backyard.

I want to see..


























...the world. I want to travel....

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain

Testing testing - Yashica SLR film camera

Next few posts will be photos from my first test roll of my new Yashica that I bought last Sunday at the Camera Market in Ultimo ;)
    Loving it!

6.7.11

Fisheye fun at the Blue Mountains























































Photos from the Blue Mountains trip I went several weeks ago with R and E.
Few of my favourites shots.

On another note, I finally replaced the "Life in Yoko" banner. I'm using the same title as my tumblr due to lack of inspiration/creativity, laziness for consistency and I plan to stick with it.
My dream of a "Life in London" banner is becoming an even more distant one...for good rather than bad reasons. Things are progressing at the moment and hopefully it will be finalised soon *fingers crossed*.

For now, let's enjoy the present :) 
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