Free from money in The City
The other day I went to Caffe Nero at Piccadilly to have a coffee and to do some writing. When I got there I realised that I forgot to bring my wallet. My bus journey about one hour from home was just wasted. So I needed to go back home, which took another about 45 minute-bus journey(less traffic by the way on return). I thought it was an awful morning to start with. I couldn’t even buy a cup of coffee. But then a strange feeling kicked in……I felt a load lift off.
Why?
But not having any money with me gave a sense of freedom.
Why?…. I think usually my activity is quite restricted depending on how much I have in my wallet (yeah I have a bank card) but..
that’s not the point. I think carrying money gives some kind of pressure….not to lose a wallet, wallet not to be stolen or to think about financial situation etc. This shows that I’m aware of money related things when I have money with me all the time even I don’t consciously think about it. Mmmmm that’s quite dreadful.
But that morning I didn’t have money so I was totally free from all these.
Soon I should just put sandwiches, a bottle of water, a book. and a bus pass in my bag and get on a bus to explore London. Even I will go to The City.( The City is a financial district in London) Maybe I may suggest new way of living to Bankers. Mmmmm newism after capitalism?
O-ARC / Masa
Meditation at a Crossing:
Oxford Circus, London vs Shibuya, Tokyo
Tokyo and London. What are the differences and similarities.
In Tokyo and London you can try cuisines from all over the world, go to various live music venues, theatres, cinemas, plays, museums, art galleries, visiting historic spots ( churches, temples, parks, imperial or royal palaces etc) names goes on and on.
What’s the difference? I think tranquillity is the key. A population in Tokyo is about 13 million ( London is about 8 million). If you are there I’m definitely sure that you would want to say ” Yearh~~ there are a lots of people here….~~” Especially in areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya you can almost suffocate yourself if you don’t know an unique Japanese way of breathing technique?? Just joking but I just want to say how some areas of Tokyo are just crazily crowed. Maybe for some people this may add some kind of excitement.
Not only this there are so many cars, tacky neon signs and randomly constructed buildings ( Old buildings and new buildings stand next to each other. Tokyo is quite a mess in terms of city planning… again some people find it interesting. And I’m one of them. There are hidden alley ways you can feel like you are in a space ship or something…anyway I have to talk about this sometime)
But anyway, somehow I’ve always feel tranquillity in Tokyo. Something which lies deep in people’s heart. Maybe you can understand what I’m trying to say as many of you saw film footages about how people behave in tsunami affected areas in 2011. Japanese look calm.
This contrast excites me and inspires me. Busy but Tranquil. ( I now remember Morrissey said the similar thing a long long time ago. He said he wanted to move over to Japan to live because of this. Anyway then he chose to live in West Coast in America so it might be just a publicity. But for me this contrast is true. Maybe it’s true for Jim O’Rourke who are a musician and was a one-time Sonic Youth bass player who now lives in Japan.
Many Japanese may not agree with me as I’m based in London. I only go back to Japan once a year. I think that’s why I discovered this with the unchangeable fact that I’m a Japanese. Most Japanese who live there think Tokyo city life is stressful and most foreigners are overwhelmed by technology and difficult-to-understand Japanese cultural uniqueness.
Maybe I should meditate at a famous Shibuya Cossing if not one at Oxford Circus.
O-ARC / Masa
Emotionaly, we were moved
We were really moved by the people who came to the “en” album launch. We honestly thought it was our best night ever.
About 50 people in the room who all came to see us. We were definitely moved. We knew we had put in a lot of energy to make it successful and were feeling the pressure when we were rehearsing in the studio, especially the last 2 rehearsals. As we organised the launch by ourselves with a great deal of help from Weastvision (our graphic designer) we had to think not only about the performance but tasks to organise the event itself. We were thinking what if the launch went wrong?
Luckily the night was successful and the Guinness and wine tasted so good after that. Next day we were really exhausted. This gig was a great opportunity to take us to further success in music. We felt like we achieved something and at the same time we’ve learned something new.
The success wouldn’t come by just following what we want to do. It needs support and love from other people who believe in us. We strongly felt it that night. That’s why we were moved. There was a positive mood in the atmosphere, which we appreciate. Thank you!
Now we are facing the next reality. The last gig of the year… We need to draw people in. In the past we just did gigs almost for the sake of doing gigs. Don’t misunderstand!! We love playing but we just didn’t care about where we played and weren’t aware of how to promote ourselves.
As we take the music seriously we need to take every elements seriously. We stumble but we move ahead.
So we can grow day by day. We look forward to taking you with us.
O-ARC
(Masa and Neil)
O-ARC @ The Bowery
Thursday 8th December
@ The Bowery
36-38 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1EP [map]
Stage Time: 7:45pm – 8:15pm (there will be 3-4 more bands on the night)
Age Restriction: 18+
Admission: £8 or £5 early bird guest list
(To be on the early bird guest list you need to email your name to
iidamasayasu@hotmail.com or contact O-ARC FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/OARCinUK or alternatively O-ARC TWITTER: www.twitter.com/oarcmusic to let us know your name through MESSAGE section.
We can accept names until 12 noon on 8th December)
www.thebowerylondon.co.uk/
www.themonto.com/
Our first blog
Thanks very much for checking our first blog. We will write whatever we like to say about music, art, culture, movies, cafes, and etc. to make our blog diverse and interesting. Please do check regularly and leave your comments, thoughts, and ideas and whatever you like to say. We would love to hear from you.
Masa & Neil
