Before leaving the U.S. for next long time, I had great opportunity with John, who patiently sat with me to share his time and knowledge about his life and photography. Here is a random list of ten things that I’ve learned from our discussion. The items might reflect only my interpretation.

1. It’s whether you see it ‘half empty’ or ‘half full.’
2. Less is more.
3. Nothing is fair, but you can be fair to yourself.
4. Stay humble.
5. Treat people how you want to be treated.
6. Share your thought. Share your knowledge. Share your wealth.
7. See things with dignity and respect.
8. People remember you long time by the impression you leave at the last time.
9. Sometime you have to close your one eye, but never sell your soul.
10. To be well human beings- no matter what situation you are in, you can always pursue it-

More about who he is as a human being and photographer, read here in his website.

John Isaac: http://www.johnisaac.com/galleries.html

Cuba

Last Chance Corral, Athens, OH (2006)

A view from an apartment of artist Minako Yoshino, whom I had a chance to meet yesterday at her Thanksgiving dinner party in Brooklyn, NY.

A few shots from my three-hours exploring City Island, NY.

Traveling just about 30 minutes outside the Big Apple was refreshing and quite enjoyable. I was amazed how different and exotic could be a small community just outside Manhattan.

Here is a blog link to an upcoming documentary film, ANPO.  The producer, Linda Hoaglund is visiting Okinawa, Japan for thousands gathering to protest U.S. Military Bases.

http://anpomovie.com/en/

One of my friends has heard that we can fish some striped bass and bonito (believe or not!?) at a harbor in Brooklyn. We didn’t know exactly where. After we drove down on Ocean Pkwy to Emmons Ave. (Neptune Ave.), we picked a random spot (somewhere cross the harbor from Kingsborough Community College). It ended up one striped bass at the end of our half day fishing, but we enjoyed quite beautiful sunset!!

I’m introducing here a documentary project , called ‘ANPO‘ by Linda Hoaglund. Its project team kindly enough to let this ignorant man (when it comes to ANPO (Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan) and its related Okinawa issue) join their team! While I’m working on how to spread its message in Japan, I start learning about current controversial issues of transferring U.S. air base within or outside of Okinawa in negotiation between the U.S. and the newly formed DPJ (It’s a negotiation on the surface, yet it’s most likely a one-way decision.) The issue also relates the all sorts of controversy surrounding Okinawa such as the coral reef environmental problem and endangered marine mammal, Dugong, and Okinawa as a political victim during and after the WWII.

Please visit its Kamishibai trailer here.