8.30
At the close of August, I have moved once again.
This time from corn-ridden Bucks County to Boston/Bahstahan/Bawstawn: the land of baked beans, dunkies, and bad drivers. Post-labor day weekend, I am to start my MLIS schooling so I may one day be an official bibliophile, better recognized as a LIBRARIAN. Thoughts on that later, but I'm excited to be in the shelves again...this time studying the technicalities and systems that make information and knowledge accessible to all. And! I get to return to my bookstore convincing customers to invest in long-forgotten children's book wisdom AND Banana Yoshimoto's "Kitchen." Because that is a work of ART.
While waiting for the school year to start, I've been reacquainting myself with the Boston roads, which means spoiling myself with daily long walks through the city-tree lined streets. I really enjoy discovering places in this way because not only do you get to see various hidden gems (i.e. small beagle gazing at you from a window, flicker of a cat-tail from a neighboring balcony, series of colorful handsigns between animated drivers, a girl riding her mom's shoulders and having the time of her life), but your ears pick up on the most entertaining fragments of conversations as well.
"Honey, of course I'll have coffee with you--I'm just around the corner and am about to walk home."
"Yeah, I really have to get ready for my poker games tonight."
"If I'm buying this many things for you, you better start packing your own lunch."
I hope this doesn't sound too stalkerish, but over the last few years, I have come to enjoy seeking and recording sound bits in my own space and time. When one stops to truly stand and listen for even 10 seconds, a whole symphony, perhaps a whole world, of sounds can be uncovered. There is even a profession devoted to the collection and protection of sounds: acoustic ecologist, which is what Gordon Hempton, a brilliant interviewee on one of my favorite podcasts (OnBeing with Krista Tripett) identifies himself as. In their conversation, he spoke about how there are so many ways to listen and become aware of what is around us...yet we often don't create enough time to do such a thing. His one quote especially spoke to me:
"We’re all born listeners. And I always say, if there’s one thing you want to do as an adult to become a better listener, take a preschooler — someone who hasn’t gone to school and been taught how to listen by focusing attention, which is actually controlled impairment, but a preschooler who’s still taking in the whole world — hoist them onto your shoulders, and go for a night walk. They’ll tell you everything you need to know about becoming a better listener.
And if you have the good fortune of going for a walk up a nature trail with a child, the younger they are, the more pointless it seems to go any further, because the miracles are right here."
Inspired by Gordon Hempton, I decided to capture still moments--my own sound bits--throughout my time in Japan. I ended up with so many clips, but they were just collecting internet dust and detritus in the neverending world of Google Photos. So, I bring to you a small project that hopefully exhibits these moments in a more cohesive way...this one is my first on HARU aka SPRING as I aim to get all four seasons in video format by the end of this year.
I admit I am a little embarrassed on my narrative, but hey. Here's to continuing to embrace vulnerability and reflection.
