Wordless Wednesday: This Ain't No Yurt

Earth Bag Housing Project

Caterpillar (キャタピラ) and Some Ninja Stuff

World Leader Manufacturing Construction Equipment

The bright yellow CAT monsters are recognized around the globe as Caterpillar.

This one was spotted, early this morning, in a pit, about 20 feet below the road I walked on.

It was still dark outside as I passed this scene on the way to my office.

The photo would have to wait and be taken on the return trip after some weight training.

Today was going to be a rowing-machine-day with 30 kilos of weights.

A 9:30 AM dental appointment was reason enough for me to be in a hurry.

A Little Ninja Training

Construction sites are usually roped or fenced off, to keep outsiders from getting hurt.

Somewhere, I read, people over 40 years of age need to do things to stay in shape.

One of the exercises I like to do consists of walking on something requiring balance.

Picture someone on a balance beam or skillfully maneuvering along the distance of a log.

Well, I skillfully take about 200 steps on some objects in construction sites.

That's where Ninja Training comes in; I just made it up. I'm over 40; that's true.

The sun was shining by the time I finished my workout with weights.

Going home, I snapped the CAT photo at 6:38 and continued to another construction area.

There was no need to jump over the roped-off part. I just went around.

200 steps of balancing were done on the way to the office. I could double that going home.

It's a little tricky, balancing yourself when it's dark outside. In sunshine, it should be easy.

At night, streetlights and passing vehicles, tend to throw shadows.

It makes balancing a bit more difficult. I might slip and fall at 20 or 67 steps.

Early this morning, not a step went wrong. Swiftly and silently, I scampered across the beam.

On the return trip, I guess I became overconfident and added a few steps.

200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, whoops, off the balance beam I went!

The back and shoulders are a little sore from rowing exercises; that's to be expected.

The trip off of the blocks for balance wasn't all that far of a distance. Not a 4ft. wall.

The 4 inch wide blocks I was scampering along, only stand about 4 inches off the ground.

Still, I'm glad no one was out there watching. I landed belly up in a pile of dirt and stones.

Sorta like a turtle turned over on it's back, I laughed and struggled to get myself upright. 

The wife was awake when I got ready to leave in the morning.

 She knew I had a dental appointment. She makes sure I shower and smell good.

Now, she'll be wondering what possessed me to take another shower and change clothes.

My ass hurts but, I'll tell her, "Secret, it's Ninja Stuff we can't discuss."

Wordless Wednesday: Old Time Sabani Construction

Animation: Talking to Spirits and Tossing Some Too

Portion of an Okinawan Ritual

There are four ceremonies held, when building a home in Okinawa.

Before any ground is broken, prayers and offerings are made.

This ceremony is known as, tiindatii, sometimes pronounced tiindachii.

A spiritual person, known as munushiri, performs all the rituals.

Here, you see him pouring awamori (Okinawa sake) in a corner of the property.

Salt, grains of rice and the alcohol are offered at all four corners of the lot.

Once Construction Begins

Rituals involving family and a spiritual person, are held at the following stages:

House Framing Ceremony: Called Nnagi

Ridgepole Raising: Muniagi

Home Completion Ceremony: Yaafuchisuuji

Hopefully, I will be present for all the parties being held for this home construction.

Albums will be created on Facebook, titled with the above Okinawan names.


Tiindatii on Facebook

Travel Photo: A Sign in a Museum

Former Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters

 

 

 This photo was taken in the museum located above the tunnels at this site.

It tells how civilians were conscripted to assist the military with their war.

The military policy of "local procurement" provided an economical labor force.

Women and children were used for construction projects and, other things.

400,000 innocents were stuck in the battle zone.

Okinawans remember ! 

 See an image from this site featured in Photography Tip: Leading Lines

Today I Shot the Contractors Outside My Office

They've Been Making a Racket for Weeks

 

 

It's gotten to the point where a man can't sleep in a place where he pays rent.

Jackhammers and equipment that shake the whole building were at it again today.

It's possible to catch a little nap, when they break for lunch.

But, not the two hours of sleep, my body likes to take.

When they finally quit digging this big hole, I grabbed a tripod and camera.

Two humongous blocks were being lowered into the ground.

It seemed like a great opportunity to shoot some images for GIFs.

 They're really not a bad bunch of dudes. They are out there working in all kinds of weather.

By the end of the year, there won't be any more telephone poles or, wires on my street.

All the wires, you see in the sky, will be going underground.

At the end of each day, they place a safety fence around any holes they didn't refill.

This one, is right outside the gate, I use to go home.

After they made the place safe, I thanked them for letting me shoot.

The crane operator, wound up his cables and went home.

Then the rest of the gang, packed up their tools, hosed down the street and went home, too.

They'll probably be back, digging new holes, tomorrow.

It's going to be nice, when all the work is done.

No wires in the sky, is a cameraman's dream come true.

Maybe, I should buy some beers for those contractors, when they finally getterdun !

Motion GIFs of Okinawa's Engineers at Work

They are out there, everyday.

Usually, under the hot sun.  Sometimes, in the rain.

The equipment they use, is noisy but, it gets the job done.

It can be dusty, dirty, dangerous work and, some of it has to be done by hand.

The scent of diesel fumes, mixes in with the fresh air.

At the end of each workday, they make the sidewalks passable.

And, hose down the dust, created from the digging.

Hats off, to these hard working engineers !

Detail Photos of Sabani Boat Construction and Other Stuff

It's No Big Secret

 

 

The sabani boats and everything about them are a hot topic for me.

The history, building, rowing and sailing of the traditional Okinawan boats is fascinating.

Whenever I get a chance, I shoot some photos of them.

If you look closely, you can see how the boats are put together.

Different types of hardwood are joined with these dovetail keys.

In Okinawa, the dovetails would be called huundu.

But, some people, speaking English, just call them butterfly keys.

With the popularity of sabani boats these days, these wooden keys are fashionable.

People have started hanging them from key chains and cell-phones.

And, women have them strapped to their handbags.

That's Enough to Get Me Thinking

Consider me a redneck, if you like but, with the right color bootlace and some ingenuity.....

.... a person could make one heck of a spiffy bow-tie out of one of them.

 And, be much more comfortable wearing a tuxedo.

Dontcha think ?

Museums Can Be Cool Places to Visit on a Hot Day

Being Outdoors is Fun but Sometimes it Gets Hot

 

 

Not to worry, it isn't as if I'm turning into a couch potato or, anything like that.

The temperatures on Okinawa have been getting up there lately.

During yesterday's travels, plenty of outdoor photography took place.

There were a few fish jumping out of water shots taken.

Some hills, sugar cane fields and even, another island were visited.

When the mercury hits between 33˚C (91.4˚F) and 40˚C (104˚F) I need a break.

Have a look inside the Onna-son Museum.

This place is climate controlled and comfortably cool.

It cost Ɏ100 to spend as long as you wish in the air-conditioned rooms.  Hah !

Making sure, I took my time, I covered every inch of the place.

Now, I have an idea what it looked like, building some of those straw-roofed huts.

And, I saw what it took to make the stone walls at Zakimi Castle.

They didn't have any fancy tools or, uniforms back in the old days.

It was probably a lot more fun being an architect than a construction worker back then.

You could say stuff like, "Let's hurry and get this room done.

Move that rock a little more to the right but, be careful.

We don't want anyone getting their toes crushed.

C'mon guys.  Don't you know it's hot out here ?

We gotta getterdun and go drink some beer !" 

MORE OKINAWA MUSEUMS

Note Local Travelers: Map It Okinawa Gives Directions

 

Sunday's Silly Sign (Photo) DEC 4, 2011: STOP AT ONE TIME

This Sunday's Silly Sign was taken with a cell phone camera during one of my morning dog walks.

A construction outfit is getting ready to build an overpass, for a new highway that will cross one of my favorite beach access roads.  So,  they set up this detour.  You have to make a sharp right turn, just beyond this STOP AT ONE TIME sign.

I'd like to shoot a photo with one of my real cameras for you to see the whole scene through a wide angle lens.

But, I've already stopped there at one time.

Not sure if I'd get in trouble with the local authorities if I go back and stop there again.

So, I probably won't.

FOR MORE SUNDAY'S SILLY SIGNS SEE THE DOOZIES

VISIT MY HOMEPAGE FOR THE PHOTO OF THE DAY

Sunday's Silly Sign (Photo) Aug 28, 2011: Our Project

It certainly feels better sitting through traffic jams under the midday sun in Okinawa, Japan when the construction crews put up silly signs like this: "Thank you for your cooperation and understanding to our project".  By golly, it makes me feel like passing out candy canes to each and every one of them !

For more Sunday's Silly Signs VISIT THE DOOZIES


CHECK MY WEBSITE FOR THE PHOTO OF THE DAY