Awhile back we were stuck in a rainstorm in Shibuya. I did not have my camera with me and have vowed that one day, I will get back to a very specific alley to get a shot in the rain as it was an amazing site.

That being said, a few shots in a similar vein, from the same area but on the wrong street (smile).

The trees have an interesting texture in black and white.

At a crossing. Not “the” crossing. But one of them.

And one oddity. I don’t know if I would buy from this shop. I found the name a bit creepy.

It was pouring. I was holding my brother’s umbrella. Someone had walked right into my picture. Public silliness. There’s no point in being cool for this one.

Send in the Marines! (to keep me dry)

At this afternoon’s joint presser with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, President Obama found himself getting annoyed by the rain. The solution? Send in the Marines — to hold his umbrella. Now, granted, he has a history of umbrella issues:

Why does a marine hold Obama's umbrella? instagram.com/p/ZYV7OHxixK/ This is why: latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c6…—
AmishDude (@TheAmishDude) May 16, 2013

But let’s face it: ultimately, he’s far too busy and important to hold his own.

Marines now standing in the rain, at attention, holding umbrellas over Obama and Erdogan's heads.—
Sunny (@sunnyright) May 16, 2013

RT @mviser: Obama asks Marines to come and hold umbrellas for him and Turkish PM. “You guys, I’m sorry about," he says to press—
WhiteHousePressCorps (@whpresscorps) May 16, 2013

Umbrellas! POTUS to press: "You guys I'm sorry" http://t.co/eUcISPDiNN—
Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) May 16, 2013

“Why don’t we get a couple of Marines [to hold umbrellas]… they’re gonna look good next to us.” – Pres. Obama ~ http://t.co/itH8fLDdBG—
Adam Baldwin (@adamsbaldwin) May 16, 2013

Marines holding umbrellas instagram.com/p/ZYV7OHxixK/—
Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) May 16, 2013

POTUS deploys Marines for rain in Rose Garden with Turkish PM Erdogan. http://t.co/S5uFUeGJOY—
Major Garrett (@MajorCBS) May 16, 2013

Let’s go to the videotape (via The Weekly Standard):

Way to go, POTUS.

Not sequestered. RT @JeffreyGoldberg: Not such a great use of Marines.—
Rick Klein (@rickklein) May 16, 2013

Oh, this is a good visual for him.—
John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) May 16, 2013

Oh, the optics.—
Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) May 16, 2013

Obama vehemently denies abusing government power, while telling a US Marine to hold his umbrella. #CantMakeThisShitUp—
David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 16, 2013

OK, Obama standing under an umbrella held by a military aide opens the metaphor floodgates for an administration in a downpour—
  (@HowardKurtz) May 16, 2013

Out: I support the troops. In: The troops support my umbrella.

"What's your detail, Marine?" "Umbrella duty, sir." "I can't hear you!" "Umbrella duty, sir!!!"—
Josh Greenman (@joshgreenman) May 16, 2013

Dear @BarackObama, Marines are NOT your personal cabana boys—
MirCat (@TRMirCat) May 16, 2013

The Few. The Proud. The guy who gets to hold the umbrella. Thanks Mr. President…—
Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) May 16, 2013

RT @EvanMcSan: on what day of Marine boot camp do you learn "hold umbrella over dignitary" stance?—
Melissa Clouthier (@MelissaTweets) May 16, 2013

Jeeves, peel me a grape.—
John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) May 16, 2013

Isn’t there something in the Rifleman’s Creed about fruit?

Maybe he could stand on a Marine too.—
John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) May 16, 2013

Hey, why not? Obama’s already metaphorically stepped on them.

Ouch RT @baseballcrank: At least Neville Chamberlain held his own umbrella.—
  (@Rschrim) May 16, 2013

Semper Umbrellis.—
David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 16, 2013

Marines don't just fight wars for Obama. They also hold his umbrella. How humiliating and unacceptable.—
Hater Hating Haters (@DefendWallSt) May 16, 2013

The rain let up eventually, and, a sufficient number of photos taken, Obama gave his umbrella brigade the boot:

As rain fades, Pres Obama dismisses umbrella-bearing US Marines.—
Mark Knoller (@markknoller) May 16, 2013

Obama just spoke to the marines by saying "Alright guys" in order to get the umbrellas away. So much disrespect.—
Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) May 16, 2013

President Classy. And President Priorities:

Funny how quickly Obama got the Marines there when he was getting wet. Our men in Benghazi waited 8 hours for Obama to call in the Marines.—
Sunny (@sunnyright) May 16, 2013

There are more marines holding umbrellas for Obama than were protecting Ambassador Stevens. #Benghazi—
Andy Lancaster (@andylancaster) May 16, 2013

Obama calls in Marines to hold umbrellas over him in the rain… but not to save lives in #Benghazi NO RESPECT—
Conservative Artist (@_AmyMarsh) May 16, 2013

@DLoesch Obama gets Marines to protect him from rain. But, Amb. Stevens doesn't get Marines to protect him from bullets & mortars? #Benghazi—
Garrett Hall (@Garrett_R_Hall) May 16, 2013

#FACT There are more Marines holding umbrellas for POTUS than were guarding Amb. Stevens in #Benghazi—
Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) May 16, 2013

If only it were raining in Libya, the ambassador could have applied for protection from the US Marines.—
Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) May 16, 2013

What a disgrace.

***

Update:

RT @TheFix: This exists: @UmbrellaMarine—
Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) May 16, 2013

Night 2 at the O2 Arena, London.
Muse performing ‘Unsustainable’.

All natural and technological processes proceed in such a way that the availability of the remaining energy decreases.

In all energy exchanges, if no energy enters or leaves an isolated system, the entropy of that system increases.

Energy continuously flows from being concentrated, to becoming dispersed, spread out, wasted and useless.

New energy cannot be created and high grade energy is being destroyed.

An economy based on endless growth is
Unsustainable

You’re unsustainable.

The fundamental laws of thermodynamics will place fixed limits on technological innovation and human advancement.

In an isolated system the entropy can only increase.

A species set on endless growth is
Unsustainable

Somehow I don’t think that light show — not to mention the transport fuel used to get the crowd there — was generated by renewable energy.

Irony, much?

In other news, I’ve just supported the Ginkgo umbrella at indiegogo, and am looking forward to receiving my very own 100% recyclable Ginkgo before long. Well, before the Autumn rains, I hope.

And in still other news, Supply Shock by Brian Czech was published recently:

Supply Shock debunks the widely accepted myths held by politicians, economists, and Wall Street that limitless economic expansion is the Holy Grail, and that there is no conflict between growing the economy and protecting the environment. We are in fact navigating the end of the era of economic growth, and the only sustainable alternative is the development of a steady state economy.

Supply Shock leaves no doubt that the biggest idea of the twentieth century—economic growth—has become the biggest problem of the twenty-first. Required reading for anyone concerned about the world our children and grandchildren will inherit, this landmark work lays a solid foundation for a new economic model, perhaps in time for preventing global catastrophes; certainly in time for lessening the damages.

The first US$5,000 in royalties on the sales of ‘Supply Shock’ go to support the work of the Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy (CASSE), AKA (also known as) steadystate.org.

Remember: you first read about it here! — or, maybe, you first read about it, um, somewhere else…

Price drops on umbrellas from ConsortiaPromoGifts.

Contact us now for a quotation according to your needs – info@consortiapromogifts.co.uk

Just like salmonella, the following parody song may cause cramping, diarrhea and vomiting. Enjoy Spence’s take on Rihanna’s “Umbrella”. Yes, it’s “Salmonella.”

[cbs-audio URL="http://cbskluc2.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/salmonella-web.mp3" NAME="Salmonella" ARTIST="Spence"]

Don’t know the story? Get the details here.

Something surreal here…

The Man Has Style – Rainy Days – William & Catherine

The Man Has Style – Rainy Days

The Man Has Style – Rainy Days

The Man Has Style – Rainy Days

The Man Has Style – Rainy Days

The Man Has Style – Rainy Days

William and Catherine image originally found via www.instagram.com/nyc_trendsetter - be sure to follow, he’s one super stylish man! 

Find The Man Has Style on Social Media @themanhasstyle (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr) 

Isla Fisher in Oscar De La Renta.

LanaDel Rey- Dress unknown?

Cara in Burberry.

Carey Mulligan- Dior Couture.

Nicole Kidman- Dior Couture

Cindy Crawford- Roberto Cavalli

Isla Fisher- Dolce and Gabbana

Carey Mulligan- Balenciaga.

Nicole Kidman- Alexander McQueen.

Woman take a nap with an umbrella in subway. 
Feel the fatigue of daily life. 

I hear his song
A whispered beat
A duet with the sky
Getting louder
As they compete

My friend, he struggles
To stay with me
And not get pushed away
By the jealous sky

But I hold his hand
I know it is my turn
To protect him
As he protected me

A parasol design by mezzime available on spoonflower.com as fabric, wallpaper, decal, and wrapping paper

My second of three two day workshops was using Adobe Illustrator CS6 to create a seamless pattern. My class and i were given the option to either draw a pattern of our choice or use a image off the web the draw around and use as a base design. I decided to use an image off the web and stumbled across a interesting image on pinterest, (image here).
This was my first time using Illustrator and I had a lot of fun playing around with the pen tool – as that is what we were instructed to use.
Once i completed the initial pattern, I then created a seamless pattern by replicating my design and using techniques given by our tutor.

Here are the designs created.

Finally i played around with colour…

I am very happy with the outcome and look forward to experimenting with the tools learnt, in the future.

]]> http://psmickeymouse98.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/snoop-dogg/ Wed, 15 May 2013 21:29:01 +0000 psmickeymouse98 http://psmickeymouse98.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/snoop-dogg/

AHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH WOW…… I laughed WAY too hard at this…

My parents bought their first house on Trelany Road in Pleasant Hill in 1977. Back then my mom worked at the Black Angus right there on the Walnut Creek Pleasant Hill border. And my dad started a career as an instrumentation electrician and retired as a Professor at Great Basin College.

I remember going to the The Dome Theater with my mom and grandma as a youngster. The movie of their choice ended up being On Golden Pond in 1981. Funniest part of the adventure was my grandma popping popcorn at home and having a huge purse…she was so nervous. Watching her bring her purse in and the look on her face was the greatest part of the night being a young boy.

I love Pleasant Hill. Even though what use to be Trelany Road…my house…is now the main  strip through Downtown Pleasant Hill.

The Dome Movie Theater originally built in 1967 and officially named CineArts was a place where we youngsters use to hang out. We rode our bikes from San Luis Road in Walnut Creek to play at the video game arcade, snack at Leatherby’s Ice Cream and the infamous Montgomery Wards which is now Khols. So many memories in Pleasant Hill disappearing. At least they kept the Soldiers Memorial Monument which was put there in 1927.

Well I suppose we’ll open our arms to The Dome replacement Dick’s Sporting goods. I don’t know about you…but I love Big 5 Sporting Goods.

Pleasant Hill is on the rise and many families are attracted to the new upscale living style. I must admit, minus the memories….I still love Pleasant Hill

.

Sometimes it is a little annoying. If I am getting changed my clothes get hooked on it. If I want to rest my head on a tube or train, it stops me doing that. But in general my bun and I are very good friends.

But yesterday, I’m not sure how or why, but my bun offended someone.

The weather at rush hour was horrific, umbrellas up and heads down on the way home for all commuters, same for me.

As I was getting off of the train queuing to get over the footbridge at my home station, my head was yanked back. Fully yanked back as though I was doing a back handspring. Turning around to see what happened was not an option.

Looking up, I saw a woman behind me had got her umbrella (the metal spikes) stuck in my bun. MY BUN!!!! Stuck on an umbrella – a dirty wet umbrella.

The woman did not say a word as I started to shake my head like an American doing the Harlem shake. The metal eventually came free but not before destroying my carefully constructed bun.

I received no apology, no word of acknowledgment. A mere yank of her umbrella to remove me out of her personal space.

A few glares/evils/ bitchy stares, I scuttled off home to huff and puff the tale to my mum and dad.

The thought of creating a commuters rule book is becoming more and more appealing. Next time, stay away from my bun!!!!!! And do not invade my personal space, a line was crossed.

Stay Fab. X

Love is caring for each other even when you’re angry.

For the rainy English weather, here’s a few Ariana inspired umbrellas from River Island!

Polka Dot Umbrella, £10 – http://www.riverisland.com/women/accessories/gloves—umbrellas/Cream-polka-dot-umbrella-626686

Pink Floral Print Umrella, £20- http://www.riverisland.com/women/accessories/gloves—umbrellas/Pink-floral-print-dome-umbrella-629948

Pink Long Handle Umbrella, £25- http://www.riverisland.com/women/accessories/gloves—umbrellas/Pink-long-handle-umbrella-630255

Enjoy Lots of Love xxxx

I can read in red.
I can read in blue.
I can read in pickle color too.

Dr. Seuss

Early in the 21st Century, the Tyrell Corporation advanced robot evolution into the Nexus phase – a being virtually identical to a human – known as a Replicant. They’re all around you, even now. That guy next to you? He’s a Replicant. How do we know? He’s walking the streets in the rain with no umbrella. That, and he failed the Voight-Kampff.

In the pre-apocalyptic future, the air will be so thick, it will be dark in the middle of the day. Coupled with the almost constant rain, you’ll need to find a way to stay dry and light your way to the noodle shop down the street.

Even if you don’t live in a quasi-futuristic Los Angeles and you aren’t a Blade Runner, you can still have the coolest umbrella on the street. With a push of a button, the shaft lights up, illuminating you and your path. Now, even in the darkest of nights, you’re a lot more visible to the cars on the street, making your long walk home through the rain a lot safer.

Product Features

• Futuristic black umbrella with LED light-up shaft
• Stay dry on your walk to the noodle shop
• Push the button to light up the shaft with LEDs
• Look both ways and watch out for replicants
• Choice of white LED shaft or blue LED shaft
• Batteries Included (Uses 3 x LR44 Button Batteries)
• Dimensions: 32.5″ long; 41″ opened diameter

Awoi

Members: Otogi (Vocals), Shin (Guitar), Shou (Guitar), Saki (Bass) & Ryo (Drums)

Solo: Chii (Vocals)

Members: Yui (Guitar/Vocals), Syu (Guitar), Hal (Bass) & Sho (Drums)

Links:

Anime North Official Website

Anime North Facebook

Awoi Official Website

Chii Sakurabi Official Website

umbrella Official Website