Back in October of last year, I wrote about luggage, but with a little too much swagger in my opinion. It focused on an old fashioned throw down between Rimowa and Tumi, two high end luggage companies. It was an offer for me to demo, test drive and travel with their brand – providing honest feedback via this site. Neither bit. And I moved on, not convinced I had found my next luggage maker.

In December I found myself in New York City for work, and as luck would have it, staying just blocks from the Muji store.  I have a strong infatuation with everything Japan – food, vending machines, robots, culture, the country, soap balls, the people, technology, and fashion. Muji is the manifestation of all this, and as a result, I spent a lot of time and money in their store. During this in-store experience, I caught a glimpse of their luggage. Boring story, I know. But it sets the tone, or more specifically, foreshadowing.

Fast forward a couple of months, and I’m at my laptop searching for Muji luggage and after a while, Japanese luggage. It didn’t take long to stumble upon Hideo Wakamatsu.

The Muscular 28" in Silver

This is man of many layers and talents. He not only studied art,  but also literature. And it wasn’t just Japanese, but also French. He spent a decade working in Europe, earning his design stripes – then brought this all back to Tokyo. Imagine that design aesthetic – Paris combined with Tokyo. I love it.

Mr. Wakamatsu is an artist, a scholar, an Asian and European creative, and most importantly out of all this, a brilliant designer.

His work is primarily Japanese in design, but you’ll notice elements of Parisian subtleties. Some of it’s a detailed focus on modernism, some of it’s unexpected, some of it’s quirky and some of it’s just simply, perfectly French and Japanese. Browse his entire body of work and you’ll see – it’s all evident from the his luggage, to briefcases, to backpacks, and even wallets.

His work isn’t mass produced because he plays a part in the process. It’s a finished product with a story and a real designer behind it. It’s got a soul, a personality of sorts. It has French confidence with Japanese coolness. That’s where it becomes a connection to me. It’s different from all other luggage brands.

Now I can finally say, I’ve found my future luggage. Phew.

Now I wonder if Mr. Hideo Wakamatsu will be on one of my flights? That’s actually one person I’d like to talk to while flying.

They’re like a spell from Albus Dumbledore.

They could be from the brush of Thomas Kinkade, Painter of Light

Or suddenly appear in an episode of J.J. Abrams LOST.

Northern Lights by Flickr user Joar Andre

The Northern Lights appear magical, conjured, out-of-this-world and spell binding. Who wouldn’t want to see them?In anticipation of Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington bringing us Season 2 of The Idiot Abroad, The Bucket List, I figured the Northern Lights would be a good topic. I’m really not a fan of ‘bucket lists’ – it’s kind of annoying phrase, but renaming this topic to Pail Tally reeks of pretense. So begrudgingly, it’s bucket list.

But back to the Northern Lights.

Northern Lights by Flickr user Kaimp

They appeal to me on several levels -

• It’s a far away trip to a place I’ve never visited
• It involves lots of photography
• I’d eat a ton of seafood
• It would reveal unforgettable imagery

Northern Lights by Flick user 11304375@N07

Norway and the Northern Lights (obviously Northern Canada or Alaska would suffice). I love getting up early with camera, although in this case, it would mean staying up late. Either way, the thought of standing patiently outside in freezing temperatures, waiting for the skies to clear, wary of my eyelid sticking to my viewfinder sounds like….heaven. After all, aren’t the Northern Lights almost like a glimpse of heaven?

Connecting with nature...

Since grabbing this image at dusk in the Valley of Fire, I’ve been more serious about photography and the natural environment. Instead of simply planning travel to travel, I’ve been thinking about travel for photography. I’d like to think that I’m becoming more serious about life, finding new connections to our environment and slowly building a more beautiful legacy to leave behind. Time will tell, but in the meantime, that’s my path.

So, the Northern Lights it is. Hvordan sier man dette på norsk?

Where would you go, camera in hand?

5

Here are most viewed 5, based on Google Analytics.

1. Depression is My Nemesis
2. Fatherhood
3. The Perfect Penalty Kick
4. The Roman Colosseum Hot Tub
5. Indianapolis Memorial for Sal Incandela

All are easy to explain. #1 was the most honest, revealing thing I’ve ever written (over 160 comments). Who doesn’t like to be a voyeur? It also got picked up by lovebomb (still so touched), and the reason I got so many hits/comments. #2, Fatherhood, was my most popular post of 2010 and after my father died, it got a lot of traffic. #3, this one got picked up by some sites in Europe and I’m not sure anyone was expecting it. #4, I love this one – funny, creative and outrageous – this one got lots of love online and was only published in December. #5, this one is pretty obvious.

So what are my favorite 5? Drum roll please.

At #5.

Me at the Louvre (unfortunately no race in Paris)

I wrote a museum tour for IndyCar fans that might be traveling the Series from race to race. I liked this piece because it combined my museum knowledge with motorsports – not the most obvious connections. Content is all about connections. You can read the tour HERE.

#4.

Scratch and sniff me in Cuba

I love sharing my idiotic travel tales. I hope to write more on this site, because I honestly am hopeless but incredibly lucky. Earlier this year, I wrote about a trip to Cuba, titled Old Man and the Pee. It made me chuckle just writing about it. And let’s face it, the title is pretty, pretty good.

In 3rd.

The Original Sketch of The Perfect Penalty Kick

The act of posting The Perfect Penalty Kick was pretty symbolic action for me. It was a sign of awakening, letting go, showing some courage and becoming creative again. This post led to other art installation and more creative posts, including two new categories, Art Concepts and The Italian Collection. I guess it showed me not to hold back anymore.

In P2.

The importance of the Father/Son bond

Adoring George Gershwin and Rhapsody in Blue. My father bought my son Fantasia 2000 right before he passed. My son and I completely bonded over this song and I marveled and marveled at Gershwin’s creativity. It was inspiring and I had to write about it. There was no hook to this piece, just a writing exercise. And I loved writing it.

And in 1st place.

Oliver at the airport

I love travel. I love flying. I love my son Oliver. Even after this trip. This was my account of taking my son on two flights and how it all went terribly wrong. In the end, I only saw the funny side of it, even if I did almost lose my cool. There’s a reason I titled it Fear and Loathing in an Airplane.

It was tough picking just 5. Hip Hop Chop didn’t make it. Neither did Walter the Warthog. There was no room for any of my Japan, photography, motorsports or other posts.

I’m still surprised when I get a comment, a FB like or see that people are reading my work.

If you had a favorite post of my mine, I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you so much.

I sometimes get texts from friend’s asking for air travel advice. I’m always happy to oblige. The time has come to drop some of my knowledge.

It's going to be ok

Some of my tips are common sense, some are unorthodox, but all have gotten me to from point A to B with a smile on my face. And you all know how much I like to smile. Here are my 10 tips. I hope they help, but mostly, I hope they make you laugh.

1) Get a frequent flier membership with your airline. Yes, it accumulates points. But at the very least, it protects you from being bumped by someone else that has a membership. Airlines always shaft the non-members first when comes to overbooked flights or the standby list. Join their club, it has its perks. There’s an easy way of not getting bumped up the A.

2) Check in online beforehand. Pounce 24 hours before check in and get the best possible seating options. I always opt for a window seat. More on that later.

3) Don’t check baggage. First of all, if you are, you’re over packing – unless you’re moving to Alaska or something. Secondly, you’re sh*t will get lost. I once crashed a SouthWest Airlines Convention and learned a lot. Trust me.

4) If you have to check baggage, make up a story about its contents. Say it has something breakable in it or your Grandfather’s ashes. The airline staffer will either put a Fragile or High Priority tag on it. Basically, the 25 outfits you packed for the weekend will be waiting for you when you land.

Definitely don't say you have firearms

5) Please treat the Security Checkpoint like a time challenge. You owe it to yourself, fellow travelers and Homeland Security. Throw your watch, change, jewelry, belt, phone, etc., into your backpack or purse. Untie your shoes beforehand and attack that line. Breeze through like a pro – you can put on your $120,000 Patek Philippe watch after emerging from security. Don’t be that person that triggers the metal detector machine 8 times. Or leaves a belt on. Also, always go through the Expert Traveler line. They never check your creds.

6) If you need to self medicate when traveling, go with liquor. Beer or even wine drinkers will be urinating all flight. Stick to a good bourbon or if you need a mixer, a Vodka Cranberry is mighty refreshing. You don’t want to make multiple trips to the aircraft bathroom. I mean, who does? Especially since you’ll be in a window seat.

7) Always board early. Create an excuse if you have to. Say you have something breakable in your bag and you want it safely stowed. Tell them you’ve never been on a plane before and you’re afraid you might get lost. Go with you gut. Your goal here is to get on the plane and not have to put your bag under your seat, or god forbid, have it stowed 8 rows behind you. That is the worst. If anything, you want it in the overhead a couple of rows in front of you. This allows you to swoop it out with ease as you’re exiting. A seamless exit strategy.

8 ) Always get a window seat. It affords the best views. And unless you’ve have had (4) 22 oz beers (and ignored Tip #6), you should be able to avoid using the restroom. You can also lean your head on the window and sleep. Let’s review – there is no need to get out of your seat. So don’t. And honestly, let’s not bother with the small talk either.

One of the perks of a window seat

9) Determine what you need while in your seat. Have that handy and throw it in the seat back holder. You’ve already boarded early because you said you’re in the military. Get your bag put away, grab your headphones, iPad, xanax, gum, etc., and sit yo @ss down. Make yourself at home, you’re not getting up for anything. Heck, you can even take your shoes off.

10) Sit back, relax and listen to some music. I recommend Elton John’s Rocket Man – the perfect flying song. Or you can just reflect and think “Damn it feels good to be a gangsta.”

Now I’ve missed a lot of tips here, including -

How to get an upgrade?

What to do if a flight is cancelled?

What to do if the person next to you picks a scab on their neck and it starts bleeding profusely and he dabs it with his airline issued pillow (this actually happened to me)?

So I’ll follow up on that. In the meantime, what tips do you have for airline travel?

My old, trusty Samsonite (and my cat Ludwig)

Now that I’m dangerously close to 40 years of age, I wondered to myself – Is it time to own a grown up suitcase – is there such a thing? Well, I think they exist, in the form of two brands RIMOWA and Tumi.

In the modern era of blogging, klout scores and product endorsement, I thought I would get bold and ask both RIMOWA and Tumi to send me a new suitcase. Even Samsonite can jump in on this.

RIMOWA (love this design)

Tumi (with the Ducati connection)

So grown up, stylish luggage companies, send me your stuff. In return, I’ll thoroughly test your products. I’ll write about it. Tell my friends. Post it to that website called Facebook. Tweet. I’ll take photographs (and I’m decent) and I’ll even do some video reviews. You’ll get unbiased, honest and constructive feedback from a variety of travel settings. And who knows, you might even ship some more product. Actually you probably won’t.

But your customers will think you’re cooler. And you’ll be filling a major void in my life (and Ludwig’s).

Lots of coffee in Japan

A lot of people complain about the bus ride. I get that. It’s two hours out of a day when you’re already jet lagged and working. But I love it.

It presents an hour to think. To listen to music. To rest. To relax. To see Japan.

Utsunomiya to Motegi

The ride takes you from a city through commercial areas, into residential and then rural, then to a racetrack. The countryside is beautiful and the surroundings foreign. The signage to me is illegible. It’s the epitome of being in a foreign land. As an anthropology student, I’ve always appreciated the differences in cultures, environments, languages and traditions. This bus ride reminds me of that. And I get to think.

Anyway, enough of me loving the world. Here’s that bus ride, condensed to 5 minutes-ish. Do I know my audience or what?

Early next morning at the airport (hungover), I searched for fluids to begin the healing process. No stores were open. This only led me to Vending Machines. And so an obsession began. This was the first Japanese Vending Machine I met.

Vending Machine 1

Last year, I returned to Japan for my first real trip and I vowed to pay homage to these glowing, robot-like machines. I frequented them often. I tried almost everything I could. And completely sober, I realized I had a greater appreciation for them. So one night in Tokyo, around midnight, I ventured out to find the perfect vending machine(s) shot. And I think I found it. At the encouragement of a friend, I even wrote about it and submitted it to the New York Times.

Vending Machine Land

Now I’m back for a 3rd time, feeling like an expert on Japanese Vending Machines – eagerly submitting my shots to the Flickr Group with the same name. I confidently select any beverage – it could be tea, coffee, a cola with gel bits, juice, an energy drink. Even a beer if that’s what you fancy.

2011 Vending Machine

I still have a few days left and I’m still looking for ‘the’ vending machine to photograph. It’s like a pilgrimage at this point. I may find it on this trip, it may take several more. But along the way, I’m enjoying every minute of it – camera in hand and selecting a beverage that never fails to surprise. That’s what exploring is all about.

I’m in Japan for a bit and I came prepared to document. That means as many blog posts as possible – or as an internet connection will allow.

I brought some good gear. A Canon EOS-1 Mark IV. A wide angle lens, fisheye and lensbaby. I also have a GoPro HD camera. I also have lots on my mind – so I’m hoping to capture my thoughts on travel, the people, the food and the sights. I always have a tough time with Jet Lag in Asia, so I might come off a little loopier than normal. Oh, I’m also here for work, so expect some cool racing stuff.

So get ready for my take on Japan. It’s my favorite place.

Shooting from the window of a bus

It sounded like a dream come true. Me, Oliver and a road trip of sorts – flying to Charleston for vacation, via Chicago. Some airport time, flight time, window seat time, bonding time, nap time, giggle time, you get the picture. It definitely started that way.

Lea dropped us of at Indianapolis International Airport and we were ready. Our hair was combed neatly. We had twinkles in our eye. Our teeth sparkled. Our shirts were pressed. We had an air about us. Invincible. Confident. Comrades.

My dear, dear Oliver

We played at the airport. Ran into some of my coworkers. Ate some food. And boarded the plane with ease. He was an angel on the flight. I felt like a really great parent. “Yeah” I thought, “This is going exactly to plan.” We looked out the window as clouds waved. I told stories to Oliver. Mentioned he should always carry a flask to a wedding. And then the United Airlines flight attendant brought Oliver milk. He and I were living the sitcom of our dreams.

Up in the air

We arrived in Chicago with a couple of hours. A little too much time in my opinion, but no worries, I had booked this flight with miles. I made a school boy error and ate at Chili’s. That place is horrible. Recalling Oliver enjoys queso, I ordered some. Then I was reminded, he doesn’t like spicy things – or appetizers with 900mg of sodium. Another mistake, but nothing to break my confident stride. I countered this by trying to buy him so ice cream, which I couldn’t find, so a $6 milkshake from Johnny Rockets, had to fill the void.

We walked around. He wandered into the way of every rushing traveler. He sat on my shoulders and observed. He held my hand. We got a good tour of ORD – Orchard Field. We finally settled at our gate which was near two escalators. For the next 45 minutes, I chased him up and down them. I had visions of him getting eaten to death by those frightening contraptions. He viewed them as a cute, fluffy bunny. I was knackered. I’m glad we waited so long to have a kid, but I am envious of 28 year old me in these situations.

And then I heard those dreaded words. “Maintenance issues”.  Another hour of waiting with him rapidly approaching nap time. This was not going to go well. We continued the escalator game. He pooped twice. He was trying to open secure doors. When that didn’t work, he was punching the keypad trying to activate the doors. I was hanging on by a thread. Passengers gave me worried looks.

The thread held though. I started singing to him. And he was not shy in telling me which songs he liked or disliked. I’m terrible with lyrics, so imagine a bunch of songs I’ve either made up, or existing songs with new lyrics. He settled for “You are my Sunshine” and I promise, I don’t really know the words to it. What an idiot. BUT….Oliver fell asleep in my arms. A very proud moment, interrupted 90 seconds later with the announcement to board. Of course he woke up.

The flight attendant put is in the back row. Talk about seen-it-all-before. I tried to settle him down and get him to sleep. He preferred to lunge forward and smack the man’s head in front of us. WTF.

I wrestled with O, played with him, read to him, sang, you name it. He was somewhat behaved and eventually, very slowly, he fell asleep in my arms. YES.

A false sense of confidence fell over me during this nap. I thought about the vacation. My wife arriving on Saturday. Seeing my beloved cousin when I got off the plane. Working on my tan. Taking lots of photos in downtown Charleston. Reading. Writing. Working a bit. Clearing my mind. Running along the beach. Eating lots of fruit. Smoking cigars. Laughing. A lot. Playing with Oliver. All that stuff. And then he woke up. Possessed.

I do not mince words in this moment. My child had vanished and was instead replaced with a devil child. There was screaming, crying, yelling, hitting, biting, back-arching, hyper ventilating, and everything else you can imagine. My phone got thrown 3 rows up. A yogurt covered pretzel (which are delicious btw) got thrown at someone in another row. I bought the poor man in front of me a drink. The flight attendant barely made eye contact with me. I had become that parent with that child on a flight. I could hear the thoughts – “They shouldn’t let kids on planes”, “Someone get that kid to shut up”, “What a useless parent”, “Someone punch that mother f*cker”, and lots, lots more.

I didn’t really give a shit. When you’ve got a child in your arms, that’s obviously suffering, you can endure a lot. I didn’t know I had it in me, but through it all, I remained remarkably calm and unaffected (on the outside). Oliver eventually calmed down about 5 minutes after we fled the scene. He was my sweet boy again. I on the other hand felt like I had been on a four day bender. Exhausted. Demoralized. Spent. Done. Deer in headlights. Game over.

My cousin and I got him to the house and fed. We then walked over to the beach. The sun was setting. The breeze was cool. The sound of the waves sounded digitally remastered. Oliver, wearing shorts and a polo (no longer pressed, but with the stains & memories of the previous 10 hours), hightailed it into the ocean.

Without an ounce of fear, he giggled and screamed with joy as waves crashed into him, splashed his face and made him catch his balance. His smile was huge and immovable. He clapped and stomped his feet. And he would look up and yell “DaDa”. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. It was the perfect ending to any day – even this one.

With the sun finally setting and a wet Oliver in my arms, I thought – “This dad thing, is pretty cool”.

You are my sunshine…

So I had 250 words to: “Share your best travel photos and tell us the back story. Where did you go and why? What’s happening in your photo? What does it mean to you? A selection of the top images will appear in the Travel section.” It took me no time to pick a pic and write.

So here is my image and my reasoning behind the shot and selection. Enjoy. PS – not sure if the NYT’s picked it or not.

Vending Machine Land

For many years I’ve dreamt of visiting Tokyo and there were many reasons for this.

Sushi (Yum). Electronics (I’m a geek). Robots (I collect them). Anime (It’s cool). Fashion (It’s so unique). Lights (It creates a great atmosphere) Bustle (The energy). Culture (I studied anthropology). Foreign (I speak English). And vending machines (It’s a culmination of the above).

I had less than 24 hours in Tokyo this past September and I enjoyed every second of it. I walked. I walked a lot. And I carried my camera everywhere, looking for any possible moment to capture.

I took pictures of the electronic and shopping districts. Train stations. My lunch. Various views. Street scenes. Hotels. Shops. You name it.

I also stopped at countless vending machines. Sometimes I knew exactly what I was getting. Other times it was a complete surprise. Now, that’s traveling.

I love this picture. I love that the frame is filled. I purposely shot this without a flash because I wanted to capture the glow of the friendly, robot-like machines. I love that it says COMICTORANOANA. I have no idea what it means – I love these moments.

I grabbed this shot late at night in a Akihabara – kind of the electronic, anime, fashion area. These vending machines represent all of that to me…in a weird sort of way.

I returned to Akihabara the next day and it was packed. The vending machines looked completely different in daylight. I’m glad I found them late at night, alone.