Or.

I have been busy, busy, busy these past two weeks or so (more on that next time), but in all this rush and excitement, I somehow caught a cold (or allergy, as speculated by Other Half). Not being allergic to anything but work in my whole life, it is most likely the latter.  Who knows?

Anyway, with time to spend today at home, quality time I must add, watching things of little quality (which I could not reveal here, as they would really ruin your image of me), I also in my many diversions today came across this image which I absolutely adored in high school history.

I did love American History so much...that is, up until a certain point.

Anniversary Tin

Other Half has a thing for tins, as do I (though I rather just look at them than own them), so when we first laid eyes on the 110th anniversary tin for Shiseido (Parlour) around the holiday season, it was surely a thing to behold.  The red color pattern with sparkle is visually striking, and whatever contents were in it (biscuits, it turns out) were only secondary.  Unfortunately, in the few times that I have seen it on display, it was sold out.  I did not give it much thought until a few days ago when I saw it again, but this time was available for purchase, but I did not buy it there so as to bring Other Half to see its availability in full glory.  Alas, when I did so, it was sold out again and I was roundly told off for not buying it then and there, but upon my revisit a few days later, it was for sale once more and at long last, it was ours.

It turns out that the biscuits inside are quite good, too.

Six.

This past autumn, I had the luck to discover my favorite tie maker in the world, who was in town on one of their semi-annual visits to the luxury department stores.  Quite surprisingly, I found that it received compliments from a person who is used to seeing me wear ties all the time, but this is not really surprising because the tie is absolutely remarkable, extraordinary.

Well, for the past week, they have been in town again, and I went to their booth four times.  The first time was just snooping around with no direct intent.  The second was a full on attack, uncovering even the boxes underneath the table, and I wound up with five ties.  I went back a third time just to make sure and, lo and behold, talked myself into a sixth tie.  Today was the fourth time, and I restrained myself from picking up at least two more (though will probably complain about it later), but really because I bought the two lovely saleswomen a gift from a local confectionary.  I have had such a great time, and future many great times to wear those ties, that I needed to give them some kind of thank you.

That is the extent to which my devotion towards this material possession has become, and, as I told them, greatly look forward to their return trip in the fall. 

the location.

the score.

Briefcase

Those among you who have been following me may remember that I was up in arms about the weather, not the usual complaints that summer is too hot and winter is too cold, but rather that this climate is conducive to mold.  Now, that is something that I have never had to deal with, and it has seriously curtailed my spending (because of the effect that mold has on books, in particular).  And, it also destroyed my most beloved vintage leather briefcase which was perfect for me, and I am sure would have lasted to the end of my days (even if I lived a long time).

So, I have been making do with a canvas tote bag (self designed, hand made though it is and which I also love), but in my heart of hearts (one of them, at least), I wanted another briefcase.  I kept my eye open on my give or take weekly searches and was able to find something not elaborate and not quite "it," but which nonetheless fits the bill.  There was something about it, though- so when looking through my design files later on, I realized that it was a bag (Japanese made) which had been in my mental reference for years already!

The only addition I will make to it is the ubiquitous strap, which displays the ever heroic and wonderfully cute character/mascot of this city, Musubi-Maru.

Moonrise.

The films of Wes Anderson, stylized reels all, I somehow never actively seek out to watch, but, after viewing them, become a subconscious part of my visual and emotional memory.  Such was definitely the case with Fantastic Mr. Fox (most especially the wonderful displays at Bergdorf Goodman Mens' Store windows some years back), and last night found me at a showing of Moonrise Kingdom.  While it was surely not my favorite of the many films, some elements startled me in their bringing back old memories and feelings- none of which I will describe here, though perhaps you know what I mean, and I think you might.

Endurance

There hasn't been much of external interest for me recently apart from some material desire, so I escaped further by watching some films.  My interest in arctic exploration, while certainly limited, was pretty much limited to what kinds of clothes that they wore (particularly in cold climates, as I have developed a distaste for the winter which almost rivals my hatred for the summer), but somehow I decided to give Shackleton's Frozen Hell a viewing.

Although it had recreated scenes, the story itself somehow shone through, pure inspiration itself- and it got me to jotting down in my list of "books to buy" those written by Frank Worsley, who seems to have been the real heart of why Shackleton has claimed his fame in history.

What a story!  And it was all true!

Frank Worsley, the man himself.

the men.