Typhoon Left But Aki's Back in Town

Few Weeks Ago

Walking the dog along a beach, I decided to take the flip-flops off an get a little wet.

The mutt, didn't want to join me so, I waded along the shoreline, up to my knees.

A the little runt, stayed ashore, tugging on the leash so, it was good exercise, I guess.

As I neared the end of the beach, to turn around, Boss, hollered at me.

"Mike, Can you bring your camera on August 15th?" So, I went and asked, "What's up?"

Boss is an alright guy, who picks a mean guitar, when he's playing in a band.

Now, I like Aki and Boss and my cameras.  But, I don't like working for free.

When I was about to tell him, what sort of commission I'd be expecting, he made an offer.

First, I should explain. I won't leave my office, for less than a hundred and fifty bucks.

Shooting a little 2 or 3 hour live band gig sounds like easy work.  It ain't.

It might take another whole day of work, to process the images.

Boss made me an offer I, couldn't resist plus, free drinks all night long.

Along Came Typhoon Talim

The past 24 hours, it was raining and wind blew because of Typhoon Talim.

We, didn't get hit bad but, the southernmost islands got a good whipping.

And, the storm's headed towards mainland Japan right now.

Knowing Aki, plays in a band up in Tokyo, I thought, she may be stranded up there.

Through a Facebook message, I contacted her and, here's her reply:

"Mikesan !!  Live Start 9:45 PM"

That tells me, Aki's back in town and, I'd better hurry, get the camera ready and, drink beers !

Previous Posts Concerning Aki:

2011 Celebrating 750,000 Views at a Live House

2012 In the Spotlight: Aki Yokoyama

2013 Every Now and Then Along Comes One of Those Days

2014 Here's Proof -- This Stuff Wasn't Just a Dream

In the Spotlight: Aki Yokoyama at the Friendship Festival

Today I went to the Friendship Festival on a local USA Military Base.

Aki Yokoyama was the opening act for the day's entertainment.

That's Boss, pickin' the lead guitar.

Late last night, my boss (Mrs. RyukyuMike) said she got a phone call.

Aki and her Boss wanted me there to take photos.

She's a real sweetheart, that gal.  She even waved when she saw me.

We should find somebody who does videos and get her on You Tube.

She was the opening performer for some American Idols they flew over here.

Hah.  I bet those poor kids were sweatin' after they heard Aki sing !

She gets hoppin, singin and dancin around the stage like someone with their pants on fire.

And, the crowd went wild.  That's why I'm puting Aki Yokoyama in the spotlight tonight.

Right after she finished, I left the festival.  

There are over 400 more photos I haven't looked at yet.

The cameras are put away and batteries are charging.

Maybe, I'll see if the beer is cold and air conditioning is turned on at

THE LIVE HOUSE TONIGHT !

Sometimes Shooting A Band Drives Me Crazy (Photo Essay)

Here's the Live House I went to take photos at last Wednesday night.

Right close to the stage is where I like to set up and take a practice shot.

When they start playing and singing I have to be ready.

There aren't too many split seconds where anyone on stage holds still.

Watching the subject's eyes is what I always do.

The girl's eyes, I made my subject.  That's mostly because I'm a guy.

But this girl, she likes to jump around a lot.

Like a chicken that knows his head is gonna get cut off.

So, you have to really concentrate, if you want to catch her eyes.

It might take over 300 shots just to get a few dozen good ones.

After awhile it was driving me crazy so, I got away from the stage.

Over by the bar, you can smell the beer.  And just shoot the TV monitor.  Hah !

Then, when the band is ready to leave, catch them outside.

And, if they won't hold still there, here's what I do.

Get a hold of the boss man. He's the guy in the black cowboy hat.

THAT'S BOSS

He got most of the band members to hold still for a photo.

AND, QUIT DRIVING ME CRAZY !



VISIT MY WEBSITE FOR THE PHOTO OF THE DAY

Celebrating 750,000 Views at a Live House in Okinawa

What better way could a guy celebrate 750,000 blog views than this ?

Here's Boss.

He has a band and Live House not far from my bar.

So, last night after consuming way over the daily recommended minimum of beers,  I decided to go visit Boss's place.

Don't ask what possessed me to bring a camera along.  That's not recommended but, I did it anyway.

Boss is an alright dude who picks a mean guitar.

He lets me get right up on the stage where I can zoom in on the action.

That pretty girl is Aki.  She plays the keyboard.

She plays the guitar.

Plus she sings and dances better than anyone in town.

One of these days, I promised Boss, I'll go back over there with a tripod and no beers in me.

Then, do some professional shooting.  These photos were taken with my little CANON G12.

After I lost my balance and fell off the stage a few times, I took several more beer breaks.

Not wanting to let a good opportunity go to waste, I handed the camera to RyukyuRu.

He took 75 photos, or so, and I'm waiting for him to show up to get the files off my computer.

If we're lucky, he may do one of those MAP IT OKINAWA posts on this Live House.

I hope so, because, to tell the truth,  I don't even remember the name of the place !

750,000 views was a big event for me and I think, maybe I over-celebrated a bit.

Head hurts.

Stomach feels queasy.

Gotta go way up north and try to shoot a lunar eclipse tonight.

Think I'll go buy a few Ginger Ales.

Groan

2011 The Year of The Party Rabbits: Photo Essay

My Place was invaded by Party Rabbits last night. The people of Okinawa, Japan are taking this Year of the Rabbit seriously. I didn't get out of the office with my camera before they showed up.  In case you haven't heard, my office is in a Karaoke Bar. I usually escape before the place opens on weekends. The name of the place is My Place. Here are the photos in the order I shot them.

The Party Animal Rabbit. The girl who started it all, the instant she stepped through the door.

The Attack Rabbit.  There's one in every crowd.  This guy had to be the ferocious animal rabbit.

The Peace Rabbit. Japanese girls are wired to give the peace sign whenever they see a camera.

The Look at Me, I'm a Cute Little Bunny Wabbit Rabbit struck a pose with her rabbit feet curled.



Last, but not least, was the "I Should be a Professional Model Someday Rabbit. Dontcha think ?"

There were other crazy rabbit photos taken last night but authorization was not given by The Boss Rabbit to have her photo posted.

And the Rabbit With The Three Day Hangover won't appear, either because I have an important mission to accomplish today. 

It's what you might call, "A grab the cameras, tripod, backpack, and get outa town before the Boss Rabbit wakes up kinda day".

This Year of the Rabbit is really catching on. Have you noticed any Party Rabbits invading your town, yet?


RELATED POST:  YEAR OF THE RABBIT 2011

Miss Uruma City

MISS URUMA LAST NIGHT

IT WAS HOT ENOUGH TO MELT FLIP-FLOPS YESTERDAY

ABOUT 6:30 THE SUN WAS SLIDING DOWN BEHIND THE HILLS

IT WAS TIME TO SWITCH BATTERIES, SD CARDS AND ISO'S

BUT, WAIT

SNEAK A SHOT OF A PRETTY GIRL IN WESTERN ATTIRE

I ZOOMED IN

I COMPOSED A SHOT WITHOUT ASKING PERMISSION

NO PRETTY GIRL IN HER RIGHT MIND

WOULD LET A SWEATY OLD MAN WITH A CAMERA

TAKE HER PICTURE IF HE ASKED

SO, I DIDN'T ASK

I WAITED FOR HER TO TURN HER EYES

TO JUST THE RIGHT POSITION

CLICK

GOT HER

SHE HEARD THE CLICK

SHE TOLD THE BOSS

SOME SWEATY OLD MAN

SNAPPED A PHOTO

WITHOUT ASKING FOR PERMISSION

To be continued.....

You Are The Boss

CAUTION: YOU MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY LOOKING YOUR EMPLOYEE IN THE EYE WHEN HIS NOSE IS UP YOUR ASS!