Passionate

THRIVE

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:51:30 +0900

Ironman competitor and author Brendan Brazier has written a couple of books that have opened my eyes and heart more than almost any other single author that I’ve come across in the past decade.

I want to go vegan by the end of 2012 as an experiment in health so I read both “Thrive Foods” and “Thrive Fitness” after hearing about Brazier from Rich Roll author of Finding Ultra an ultra endurance athlete. Brazier talks about the benefits of being vegan and how you can excel as a vegan athlete. His research, ideas, facts and advice will change the way you think about food, I promise!

For me, both these books are important because I am about to prepare for my second marathon and I want to be in better shape this time around.

I highly recommend these books to everyone who is even slightly curious about eating healthier.

http://www.brendanbrazier.com/

HOW TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 09:58:17 +0900

A great quick read on the reality of doing what you love by Paul Graham.

“To be happy I think you have to be doing something you not only enjoy, but admire” -Paul Graham

“How many even discover something they love to work on? A few hundred thousand, perhaps, out of billions.” -Paul Graham

“Sometimes jumping from one sort of work to another is a sign of energy, and sometimes it’s a sign of laziness. Are you dropping out, or boldly carving a new path? You often can’t tell yourself. Plenty of people who will later do great things seem to be disappointments early on, when they’re trying to find their niche.” -Paul Graham

“”Always produce” will discover your life’s work the way water, with the aid of gravity, finds the hole in your roof.” -Paul Graham

Check out the article here:

http://www.paulgraham.com/love.html

Check out Paul’s bio here:

http://www.paulgraham.com/bio.html

Get Paul’s book Hackers and Painters here:

http://www.amazon.com/Hackers-Painters-Big-Ideas-Computer/dp/1449389554/ref=la_B001ILHE5O_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338899591&sr=1-1

BOBBY WOMACK

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 10:43:20 +0900

Soul music has always been the genre that has touched my heart the deepest. Whether it’s Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder or someone like Bobby Womack who’s sharing, there has always been something that affects me longer and more internally from these type of men.

Bobby Womack’s newest album “The Bravest Man In The Universe” is a nice addition to his body of work as well as some updated sounds thanks to the help of Damon Alborn and producer Richard Russell. Like Gil-Scott Heron’s beautiful final album “I’m Here Now”, here we find Womack also putting out a raw and touching album that reminded me of “I’m Here Now” and distinctly Womack’s own.

Get it and listen to it when you have some time with yourself.

BOBBY WOMACK:

http://bobbywomack.com/

GIL SCOTT-HERON:

http://gilscottheron.net/

NPR INTERVIEW:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2012/06/29/156017675/the-making-of-bobby-womacks-bravest-man

SHAME

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 10:17:00 +0900

Steve McQueen’s Shame hits you with impact. The directing was outstanding, the cinematography was wonderful, the acting was perfect, the story was powerful and the soundtrack was haunting.

This is a fim about sex addiction. Michael Fassbender should have won an oscar for this role. The pain, frustration and emptiness his character Brandon carried with him throughout the film was heartbreaking.

After I finished the film, I thought that Steve McQueen could have made a movie about any number of other addictions and the same effect would have been felt and achieved because Michael Fassbender was able to protray an addict’s behavior so well.

Despite the NC-17 rating this film received a lot of rightfully deserved praise. I think this is a film that should be watched and examined (not by everyone) in the future both for artistic merit and for behavioral reasons. It’s great acting and filmmaking.

Official homepage:

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/shame/

Rotten Tomatoes score:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shame_2011/

Watch the trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62nelnMXW3M

Get the soundtrack here:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shame/id483035137

HERE

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 01:55:49 +0900

“HERE” a film by Brandon King is a film that is philospical and pretty. It’s a quiet and very slow moving story involving maps, wandering around and some sketched out ideas about life. It’s not a perfect film by any means but it’s a movie to sit, watch and think over with someone.

Official site:

http://herefilm.info/

THE ACCOUNTABILITY EFFECT

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 22:54:14 +0900

This is a fantastic little ebook by Bassam Tarazi that Seth Godin mentioned on April 26th, 2012, in his blog post. It’ll take about 20 minutes to read and it’s a well spent short amount of time. Simply put the book is a reminder to be responsible for your life. There are some wonderful things to read in this. Read it.

Here’s a link to the author’s website, he seems like a great guy:

http://www.bassamtarazi.com/

You can download it from Seth Godin’s blog here:

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/files/the-accountability-effect.pdf

LEFT BY THE SHIP

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 09:54:23 +0900

I saw this film several weeks ago and I’m still thinking about it. This documentary is about the Ameriasians in The Philippines. The estimated 52,000 children that were abandoned by their American Naval fathers.

I’m so intrigued by this because my own father was born out of a similar situation in Japan and like my father these children who are now adults deal with various issues of abandonment, identity and pain.

I have so many thoughts about this film and about this situation in general but that is for another conversation at another time. This was worth watching and I am glad films like this are being made so that a voice for those who are struggling with a similar reality can know that others who are also dealing with an absence and an ache in their life as well and that they don’t have to keep it to themselves.

If anyone reads this post and has a similar upbringing as that in the film I would love to get in contact with you to hear your story.

Visit the website and check out the trailer here:

http://www.leftbytheship.com/

More info here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1733554/

http://www.facebook.com/LeftByTheShip

http://www.channelapa.com/2011/06/left-by-the-ship-documentary.html

START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 22:02:53 +0900

Not sure why I decided to get this audiobook but I did and I am incredibly thankful that I got it. What a great journey Blake has gone on and what a good book this is for anyone you wants to make a tangible difference in the world.

I’m actually kind of speechless at the moment because I’ve listened up to the last 40mins of this 4hr and 47min. audiobbok. I’ve put off the last 40mins for over a month and I finally decided to listen to it on my run tonight. How was I to know that this final part would speak exactly to a particular situation I am in at the moment more than I can put into words. But, enough about my personal epiphany.

This is a solid book for anyone who needs a nudge forward towards putting your ideas, energy and passion into something that matters.

website:

http://www.startsomethingthatmatters.com/

Toms website:

http://www.toms.com/

Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yJFv3gnJrU

Get a copy here:

http://www.amazon.com/Start-Something-Matters-Blake-Mycoskie/dp/1400069181

BATTLE ROYALE

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:20:18 +0900

I recently watched Battle Royale for the first time. I admit I hadn’t heard of it until The Hunger Games came out at which point I heard about all the comparisons to this cult classic. This movie isn’t for everyone but it’s definitely for some people. While extremely violent this film serves a deeper purpose than just blood and I understand the praise that this film has received by many. I would say it’s worth watching and thinking about but like I just mentioned it’s not for everyone.

If you’re interested in learning more check out the following links:

youtube trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIuRjqcpuGQ

websites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Royale

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/battle_royale_3d/

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:56:42 +0900

“The best sushi restaurant in the world” - Anthony Bourdain

I just watched Jiro Dreams of Sushi and it is a captivating film. If you love Sushi and/or you live in Japan this is a must see documentary. The passion and dedication that Jiro displays towards his art is transferable to any profession.

Find out more about the film here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H1jZwl4vkY

and here:

http://www.magpictures.com/jirodreamsofsushi/

and here:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jiro_dreams_of_sushi/

and here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772925/

and here:

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120404/REVIEWS/120409996

To learn more about Jiro and his restaurant click here:

http://www.sushi-jiro.jp/eng-index.html

and here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukiyabashi_Jiro

and here:

http://www.alifewortheating.com/tokyo/sukiyabashi-jiro

I WISH 奇跡

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 23:52:00 +0900

“Kiseki” entitled “I Wish” in English is Hirokazu Koreeda’s newest film. This is another wonderful film by Koreeda. With Each film he makes he shares something that resonates with the heart. Kiseki centers around childhood and family life and as always Koreeda is able to capture and express many delicate and beautiful moments here. The performances by the two main boys are touching and believable. A solid film.

Find out more here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1650453/

and here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Wish_(film)

and here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DC_L6wVV2Y

Find out more about Hirokazu Koreeda here:

http://www.kore-eda.com/

and here:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0466153/

and here:

http://mubi.com/cast_members/178

Photo

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 23:33:42 +0900

MAKE IT COUNT is an awesome video that Casey Neistat created for...

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:59:52 +0900

MAKE IT COUNT is an awesome video that Casey Neistat created for Nike. Watch it.

ROSIE THOMAS

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 09:46:41 +0900

She’s back. With Love is Rosie Thomas’s first album in over 4 years. She’s one of my favorites. Her music holds a special place in my heart. The album came out in February, 2012 but I just had my first listen this past week.

Website:

http://rosiethomas.com/

Get her music here:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rosie-thomas/id6551709

FINDING ULTRA

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 09:55:00 +0900

I listened to the audiobook read by the author Rich Roll this past week. It was GREAT. Rich’s story kept me hooked from the very beginning. His experience and wisdom relating to nutriton are invaluable. A great resource for inspiring endurance athletes and those thinking of going vegan.

STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 09:52:44 +0900

This is a fantastic quick read. One of the best I’ve read in awhile. It skips the fluff and goes straight to the vein of gold. It’s a gift you should get for yourself. I’ve never heard of this prior to reading Hugh Macleod’s “Blogging In Your Underwear”. You’ll finish it in an hour and then go back again a couple more times. You’ll come away with something that was well worth your time and money.

Check out the author’s website for the book”

http://www.austinkleon.com/steal/

Get the book here:

http://www.amazon.com/Steal-Like-Artist-Things-Creative/dp/0761169253/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1

Get the book here in Japan:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/Steal-Like-Artist-Things-Creative/dp/0761169253/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337342225&sr=8-1

A TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCING IDEAS

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:00:53 +0900

I discovered this little treasure via Brian Picking’s weekly newsletter:

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/05/04/a-technique-for-producing-ideas-young/

This is a book where if you have read anything on trying to get yourself to produce ideas you’ll discover that this is far better than most of those books and that most likely those books have drawn from this 1939 classic.

Get a copy here:

http://www.amazon.com/Technique-Producing-Advertising-Classics-Library/dp/0071410945

Photo

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:59:09 +0900

RINKO KAWAUCHI 川内倫子

Mon, 28 May 2012 20:44:52 +0900

Illuminance , Ametsuchi , Seeing Shadow

Rinko-san’s newest exhibition is showing in Tokyo right now. Everything is displayed very nicely and she has video of her work that added a nice layer to her style and expression. It was great to spend time infront of her pictures.

http://syabi.com/e/contents/exhibition/index-1594.html

Photo

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:01:59 +0900

Passionate

THRIVE

HOW TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE

BOBBY WOMACK

SHAME

HERE

THE ACCOUNTABILITY EFFECT

LEFT BY THE SHIP

START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS

BATTLE ROYALE

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI

I WISH 奇跡

Photo

MAKE IT COUNT is an awesome video that Casey Neistat created for...

ROSIE THOMAS

FINDING ULTRA

STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST

A TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCING IDEAS

Photo

RINKO KAWAUCHI 川内 倫子

Illuminance , Ametsuchi , Seeing Shadow

Photo

RINKO KAWAUCHI 川内倫子