Day 21, Level 2 (day 69 since lockdown): Haircut, habits, Japan and facades in France

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Zoom interviews all morning. Not enjoying viewing my hair which had not been touched since lockdown. Finished at midday. Decided I simply HAD to do something about my hair!
Immediately rang hairdresser in Matakana that I'd never been to before. They could take me straight away. Zoomed there, and emerged with a short do that feels good and I like very much. Thanks Amy! She's from Tapora on the Kaipara, pretty remote. She has two young boys. She's young and lovely and I was grateful for the removal of lockdown locks that had got out of control. 

Into Warkworth and my first venture to and actual  supermarket proper in more than two months! Got a few things and got out as quickly as possible. It's the most people I've seen in one place since lockdown began. 

A definite benefit of lockdown seems to be that people have become more disciplined, streamlined, methodical and polite about things - in public at least. There is more awareness and consideration of others than I've ever seen. 
Mainly, I guess, because to some extent people are being directed (aka told) to do the right thing. Rules and peers put the pressure on. Being frowned upon as a renegade in these times isn't a fun thought for most people, especially those past a certain age. 

Overall, the lazy, rude and even slovenly approach that had pervaded everyday life for too long pre lockdown (especially in supermarkets) seems to have been discarded. It's good. 
Hopefully better (best?) habits will form and emerge because of all this.  It's amazing how habitual habits can become, and quickly. And hopefully they'll stick. We'll see.

I suspect there is still a way to go before it becomes second nature in the wider community forever and ever. But long may the new and good habits linger ...

No time for me to get to the beach today, but I'm sharing a delightful photo I took back in April 2017 of some kids having fun with a wagon. Love the engagement of the two young ones. 



And, switching right out of summer mode ...
As winter approaches in NZ, here is a photo of snow in a Hokkaido village taken back in Feb 2017 when we were there for our honeymoon. It was a relatively poor snow season for Japan - but it was still outstanding. 
Also a photo of the blossoms in Tokyo - which were unusually early that year. 
Things had gone a little topsy-turvy that year in terms of seasonal normality. 

Snow, Hokkaido, Feb 2017


Blossoms, Tokyo, Feb 2017


And some cocktails for good measure ...!

Cocktails and view from top of Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo, Feb 2017

I worked at an international conference in Tokyo back in 1986 (for the IPPF, as mentioned in previous posts). It was held at the Keio Plaza Hotel; located in Shinjuku, and with two towers, it was the first high-rise hotel in Japan. To my 23yo self, it was the height of luxury and skyscraper-ness. Being in Tokyo was a whole new experience that was eye-popping and fabulous. I bought a Hitachi ghetto-blaster, and I still have and use it when I need/want to play cassettes - which I sometimes do in my studio!  I discovered Japanese food on that trip; I was a dreadfully fussy eater in those days and probably didn't do it justice. Looking back, it was sacrilege! 
Now it's right up there as one of my most favourite cuisines. 

When Brett and I were in Tokyo on our honeymoon in 2017 I simply had to go back to the top floor of that hotel and enjoy a cocktail, relive the memories. I so vividly remembered having a Negroni up there with some colleagues back in 1986 at the end of a long conference day.
I also vividly recall that, as we were partying on the top floor at the post-conference party following two weeks of hard work ... there was an earthquake. The whole building shook and swayed. OMG we were all horrified, but firmly assured by our Japanese colleagues that this was normal. Don't worry, they said. We carried on dancing! High up on the top floor looking out across Tokyo as the city gently shook.  As it does. Surreal.

LUNCH: Egg sandwich from the bakery
DINNER: Fish burger (snapper) - home made - fish battered and lightly deep fried

SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Off to France now ...
Check out this website of very talented "trompe l'oeil" artist Patrick Commecy. He turns dull building facades (mostly in Lyons, France) into fascinating snapshots of life, mural/fresco style. 
Colourful, skillful, delightful. 
It's incredible what he achieves - bringing pockets of colour and cheer to all passers-by. The before and after photos tell the story. Fabulous!


Be sure to translate if it comes up in French. 

This is the side of a building!









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