K-rin Digital Award 2013

A month ago or so I was roped into helping Shiv with a small presentation for a local event. The K-rin Digital Award presentation was held at the 競輪場 (Keirin stadium) - the local velodrome. The big screen was used to stream the live feed as well as show the contest entries, intermission videos and some awesome video clips by Tateishi Kazuya san.

This was the first time the event was organized, so it was a pretty small affair. As always Shiv didn't deem it necessary to explain where we're going or what the event was prior to arrival. He then swiftly proceeded to get busy. Fortunately, I was not left sitting alone. Another helper for the day was Inada san (Izumiken's Chief Secretary), so we got to hang out. After awhile I managed to figure out what the place was called and what the event was about.

What I didn't take into consideration was that it was really cold and windy that day. Especially in the stands where we were sitting. Both Inada and I got really cold.

During the event we were approached by a photographer who was taking photos for the stadium's web page. He was looking for young people to do pretend posing as if they were watching the race, cheering and so on. We agreed to help, but as we are definitely no models, it was just too funny to keep a serious expression for too long. I think the photographer guy got a bit frustrated >_<

A fun entry for the contest was a racing game with an actual bicycle. Inada, Tateishi san and some others gave it a go.

Scattered around we're these posters - when you take a picture with a corresponding app a 3D racer appears beside you.

Suspended in midair...

Our part in the event was to do a small sketch type presentation using Kinect. The idea was that Shiv goes about his day and objects (including me) appear and disappear depending on whether he's thinking about them or not. We came the evening before to do a test run and it worked smoothly enough. However, we've never tested it during daylight. And the day being cold and windy also turned out to be really sunny. The poor Kinect sensor couldn't handle all the light and we had to scrap our idea :((( Instead, Shiv made due with a small explanation of how it works.

Because I had very little to do, I tried taking some footage for a vlog type video. It's mainly comprised of me trying to speak Japanese (unsuccessfully) and Inada being cute (successfully).



We were assured that the event would become an annual feature. Or maybe even biannual. It would be fun to come again, especially if it is hosted in warmer months ^_^

Catching up

It's been such a long time. I was super busy with my MA project these past couple of months. We already had the presentation and I'm not sure, but it seems the outcome was good? The graduation ceremony is more than a month away and we were not told our results at all. A bit confusing, but, perhaps, I missed something. Our professor doesn't seem too worried at all.

This here is a peek at my project. I might post prettier posters or a PDF,

but right now I'm a bit sick of looking at it.

Another thing that's coming up is our lab trip. We'll be going to Hiroshima. As usual all trip details will probably be posted at the last minute. I prefer to know at least the departure time in advance, so I'm slightly frustrated.

We were going to find a bigger flat to rent, but we were so busy, we ran out of time. So another year will be spent in our tiny one room apartment. Which is fine, I guess.

Since I had a bit of time to relax, I finally finished editing the Takachiho trip video, which was waaay back in November. Oh yeah, I'm so fast. I found out my iMovie was pretty basic, no options for sound separation or slowing down/speeding up functions. Still, it was quite interesting regardless. I did get tired of listening to the random things I say over and over :D

The video is in 4 parts over at YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/MariaLivchak

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Skipping

Even though I said I'd try and update every week, I skipped 2 of them already. Why? Well, last weekend and part of this week was spent franticly getting the presentation ready for my Wednesday class. The week before that was my birthday. So I was super distracted from doing anything else.

So, my Birthday. It was great really. In the morning we cleaned the house some and did the washing - very un-birthday-like. Then we went shopping to Hikari no Mori (光の森) - a shopping mall about 30 minutes away y train. We bought a ton of things, and there was this weird thing near one of the elevators.

It's seriously huge!

When we were inside, it started raining. So when we were leaving to go to the station, the rain was in full swing. Not so bad, since I had a ton of shopping bags to protect my precious locks.

In the evening we went to a French restaurant. The same one we went to last August when I was leaving to go back to Latvia. Or was that the August before last. I can't remember. My passport, however, claims it's been 2 years already. Even more surprising was that the waiter remembered us. I suppose, foreigners rarely come there, since it's quite expensive and totally in Japanese.

It was delicious. And I really like the atmosphere of the place. They also bring out a huge number of cutlery. I am always a bit nervous that I might use the wrong one. But it usually turns out fine.
I had a really lovely birthday thanks to my wonderful boyfriend.

Now, during the past weekend I was rushing to write the presentation. I tell you, my hands were hurting a lot by the end of Tuesday. On Saturday Shiv went on a night hike from Aso back to Kumamoto. So he got back Sunday morning. His feet were in a right state.

I have to admit that because there was no one to scold me for procrastinating on the presentation, that is what took up most of Saturday. I also skipped out of helping to set up screens in the Hall for students to pin their work on Tuesday. But I did finish the presentation on time, and it went rather smoothly.
Also, Tanaka sensei taught me how to print papers double-side and in sets. I shall have to try that later by myself.