more perspective

After poking around a little online yesterday and seeing that lots of people had decent things to say about the Dave Mann show I though maybe I was a little hard on it, but around 11pm last night laying in bed i realized it was because i had been in Japan at the Mooneyes show about a week ago and saw all kinds of thought provoking builds and the people behind them.
"Good" is of course a relative term, but it reaffirmed yet another GREAT trip to the Far East and how nice it is to be inspired.

It seemed like the Mann show was packed with unridden show bikes which seems like the farthest thing from Dave Mann himself and what his art represents. I think i would rather see neat bikes with fuel stains and oil splatter from the ride to Ventura than the same old (and new) trailer queens. I'll get off my high horse now, but first here's a picture of AG's swift Shovel as the whole Vice Crew were about to ride 8 hours back to Nagoya from Yokohama...

Nagoya

Nagoya was one of the most fun spots on our trip to Japan last month. Great people (Thank you Yoshiki and the Vice Crew!, Masato, Duas Caras, Risky Buisness, Sparetime, and friends), a super cool town that is said to be the internal combustion capital of Japan which did not disappoint. Amongst all of this i was able to celebrate my birthday three separate nights in three different cities each as a surprise thanks to my good friends--thank you.

Even when there is the possibility that language could be a barrier, relaxation, good humor, and common interests shine through and you can hang out for hours all enjoying the moment. Saw a few things at dinner table in a restaurant i never thought I'd see (thanks to Crazy Tony!) possibly laughed harder than i ever have too. wish we could have stayed there longer...

yoshiki's home garage-chopper heaven

mom & pops

Drooling at Langliz

Nagoya's famous chicken wing spot

the other Grant AKA Gunny avoiding toxic fumes from a brief wild fire

Japanse birthday cakes are sooo good, but what would you expect?