Around Jiyugaoka

Around Jiyugaoka

Dave
Jiyugaoka

I have been reading Angel by Jason Calacanis this past week.  It is a book I have been waiting to be released for a long time.  Jason is a well know Silicon Valley Investor who turned $100K USD in investments into $100M USD.  He was an early investor in Uber, Thumbtack, Wealthfront and a few hundred other companies.

Constantly Moving

Constantly Moving

Dave
Shimokitazawa, Singapore, Osaka

My wife says I'm like a little mouse that can't sit still.  When I'm not physically moving my mind is moving a million miles an hour.   This year has been no different.  I've had a lot of travel so far this year with trips to London, Mumbai, Osaka, Seoul, Manila, Bangkok, LA and Singapore twice.

Spring Focus

Spring Focus

Dave
Jiyugaoka

I have been very focused on a pet project for the past few months using what little free time I have on it.   20 minutes here, 30 minutes here, a Saturday afternoon here.   It's amazing how much you can get done with little focused amounts of time. 

Bombay

Bombay

Dave
India

The week before last I was in Mumbai for the week for business.   I think this was my 20th trip to Mumbai in the past 15 years.   It's amazing to see the massive transformation this city and all of India has been on.   

Moving Forward

Moving Forward

Dave
Jiyugaoka, Roppongi

Life has kept me very busy lately without much personal time.  I have had a few business trips to start my year.  I had a trip to London in January and a short trip to Singapore in February.  Unfortunately both had very packed schedules that didn't get a chance to get out and shoot.

The Start

The Start

Dave
Jiyugaoka, Nakameguro, Tokyo

I'm wrapped up 3 weeks of leave yesterday and headed back to work.  I never used to be able to take time off at year so it's nice to finally be able to.  I travel and work a lot throughout the year so I really cherish this time to unwind and catch up at home.  

The End

The End

Dave
Taiwan, Bali, Jiyugaoka

I have officially stopped traveling for 2016 with my final two trips of the year to Bali and Taipei completed.   My traveling has come to an end for the year.  My total travel for the year 174,660 miles.  Wow what a year of travel!

Analog Future

Analog Future

Dave

I'm in a film phase right now and I am going to try to shoot film for the foreseeable future.  I have a small wine refrigerator filled with a few hundred rolls of film waiting to be shot.  I have a few really cool expired ones in there too. 

Eventually they stop laughing

Eventually they stop laughing

Dave
Shibuya

I like people who stick to their convictions in spite of opposition.   I think all too often people either stay with the norms or quickly adapt to the popular opinion or approach when facing challengers.   People should feel comfortable and confident to stand up for what they believe in and prove others wrong with their actions and results.

Homebody

Homebody

Dave
Roppongi, Ebisu

I have continued to focus on my guitar playing as of late.   I'm still not very good but it's something I am really enjoying.   I go to lessons once a week and try to practice for a least 30 minutes each day.  I can see slow and steady progress which is very satisfying. 

Knocking on Heaven's Door

Knocking on Heaven's Door

Dave
Shibuya

I'm continuing to slow slug away at learning guitar.  I really wish I learned when I was a kid and had hours and hours to practice vs. the 30 minutes I can give it a few times a week.   This week I'm learning The Guns and Roses version of Knocking on Heaven's Door.  

The Inevitable

The Inevitable

Dave
Roppongi, Jiyugaoka

I've been reading The Inevitable - Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future lately.   It's an really interesting look at what our future will be like from a technology perspective in 30 years.    It's written by Kevin Kelly the founder of Wired magazine.  

Exploring Ebisu

Exploring Ebisu

Dave
Ebisu

We decided to head from my office to Ebisu to shoot for a little while.   I love the few blocks surrounding Ebisu station.  The streets are often pretty quiet but packed with lots of little restaurants and bars that make for great scenes for photography. 

Odd Hours

Odd Hours

Dave
Jiyugaoka, Singapore

I have always been someone who kept odd hours.   I'm usually the last person to go to bed.  I tend to retire around 1 or 1:30AM.   I also tend to be the first person to the office which means I'm getting up around 6:30AM or so.   

Los Angeles

Los Angeles

Dave
Los Angeles

This week I had a short trip to Los Angeles.   I left Tokyo on Tuesday afternoon and I'm currently on the Saturday 1AM return flight.  With the time changes I arrived in LA on Tuesday 11AM

Jet Lag

Jet Lag

Dave
Shinjuku

I stayed up until 10:45PM last night and sure enough I'm wide awake at 1:40AM.  I tried everything I could fall back sleep.  After 2 hours of staring at the ceiling I decided to do some work.   

Familiar Places

Familiar Places

Dave
Yurakucho, Shibuya

I love going back to places where I have spent a lot of time in the past.  I instantly feel reconnected. My mind fills with memories of past adventures in the area.   I worked in the area for more than two years and had a lot of great meals in the area.  

Load More