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 ^_^

Hinamatsuri - 雛祭り

At the beginning of march every year there is a Hinamatsuri (ひなまつり). It's a festival of dolls and cute girls (^_^)

In Kumamoto the doll sets that represent the emperor, empress and the court are displayed in Shimotori (下通).

The placement of the dolls is kind of complicated at first glance, because it's difficult to tell what some of them are. On this picture there are emperor and empress, court ladies, court musicians, food and ministers, samurai with some trees, furniture, carriage and some swords.

The Emperor doll from one of the sets.

The Empress from another set. I think I'd boil in all those layers if I wore her kimono.

The details on the dolls are awesome.

Also during hinamatsuri we (foreign people :))) get to dress up for cheap in furisode (振り袖) - a long sleeved kimono. Generally these are worn by young unmarried girls. But who cares about the details when you get just a few hours to wear such pretty clothes. It takes about an hour to put on and they wrap so much stuff around you to get that cylinder shape that it feels like a corset. I think a few hours is more than enough for people who are trying it on for the first time.

This is the kimono I got to wear this year. I generally can't be bothered with intricate hairstyles, but other girls make their hair look very fancy indeed.

Last year I chose a blue kimono with a much more grown up design, but I think this one suits me better.

After dressing up we get to have a mini tea ceremony - basically we are brought sweets and tea. Then we get to take photos. As a last treat we get to see a small traditional music number and a dance. We get to learn a few simple moves as well. It's a different dance every time and this year we got a prop - a kind of a stick with bushy tassels on the ends. Reminded me a bit of those pompoms cheerleaders have.

After all the fun and excitement we get to take off all our finery and go home.

I will definitely come next year as well (＠⌒ー⌒＠)

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Lab trip - day2

Part 2 of the Hiroshima trip. Another massive photo dump post.
Our accommodation was just a few minutes away from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
We took a group photo opposite the big fountain with a view towards the park. It turned out to be out graduation photo gift :)

Lab trip - day1

At the end of February our lab planned a trip to Hiroshima.
It took around 5 hours by bus, which meant I had to get up around 5 or 6 in the morning. The long ride meant I could sleep on the way so I didn't mind too much.
The first stop was 厳島神社 (Itsukushima shrine) - famous for it's torii that is surrounded by water during high tide. More on that later.

Entrance to the ferry towards Miyajima island.

Clap4Dream

On 22nd of February we went to the Clap4Dream event for Ultrabook.
It took place at the shrine grounds near Kumamoto castle.

Shopping

After all my hard work I have decided to reward myself with some shopping. I can't really afford to go on a super shopping spree, but I am working on replacing broken stuff or things that ran out.

First up is this 'Hello Kitty' bag. At first I felt the design was a bit cringe-worthy, but it has grown on me since. Although I don't go on trips often, I found that I do need a big enough bag with a zipper from time to time. I would always try and stuff things into summer totes, but in winter it's just not going to work.

The bag is very basic with only one huge compartment and a small pocket at the top. Also has tiny side pockets. It was 50% off, and at less than a thousand yen I will probably not find anything cheaper.

While trying to find the bag, I stumbled onto some mirrors. I had a pretty fancy Clinique foldable mirror, given to me by Shiv. But, being the incredibly clumsy person that I am, I broke it. I couldn't find a good enough replacement, so I've stuck with it for a year.

Yeaaaah, I'm pretty relaxed about this sort of stuff. I still hope I can replace the mirror part and clean it up a bit.

Anyway, here's the mirror I bought. It's about ¥970 and super pink and sparkly. It was the least sparkly one I could find. But it was the right size and not too flimsy.

Another broken thing is my little comb. All my hairbrushes come from the 100yen shop, but recently my hair got very long and tangly so I decided to upgrade. From this.

To this.

I guess pink is a basic colour in Japan. There are not too many choices. However, this totally matches my new mirror, so I am very happy.

There were some other small things I bought for the coming up trip - small cream containers, make-up wipes, etc. not that interesting :)

Some weeks ago I happened upon some skirts for ¥190 at g.u. I think they cost much more before, but since it's last year's stock they were priced down quite a lot. Here are some pics from the g.u. website.

That's about it for now. I'm hoping to get some more much needed items in the coming weeks.

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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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