Tag: travel

Culture, Photography, Recreation, Travel

Visit to Otagi Nenbutsu-Ji Temple and a bamboo forest

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Kyoto Otagi Temple - carved figures

Originally built in 766 Otagi Nenbutsu-Ji Temple was rebuilt a few times since then, most notably by Kocho Nishimura, a statue sculptor and restorer who himself became a Buddhist monk.  Over 10 years stating in 1981 reconstruction was in full swing.  The main project was the construction of the 1200 carved statues that now cover the hillsides.  These are rakan, the followers of Buddha, created individually by everyday followers who made the pilgrimage to learn carving from Kocho Nishimura.  you can see the individuality and even elements of personality in each carving.

Kyoto Otagi Temple - carved figures Kyoto Otagi Temple - carved figures Kyoto Otagi Temple - carved figures Kyoto Otagi Temple - carved figures

Kyoto - Otagi Temple - shrine Otagi Temple Document Side 1Otagi Temple Document Side 2

There are many bamboo forests in Japan, many of the most famous are in the outskirts of Kyoto.  This was one of the less popular ones, but none the less beautiful or majestic.

Kyoto - Bamboo Forest

Photography, Recreation, Travel

Incredible experience at Arashiyama Monkey Park

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Kyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park - Ticket Kyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park - ForestKyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park - Forest above Kyoto

Kyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park above Kyoto

In the mountains above the outskirts of Kyoto rests the Monkey Park where i met some enchanting new friends.  I got some incredible pictures and videos of some very food motivated primates.  They had a great system where all the feeding happens though the bars and outside the feeding room, the monkeys were happy to walk among the visitors.  I learned much about these the monkeys and met an adorable mother and child.

Kyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park - Feeding Room

Kyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park - Feeding Room Kyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park - Feeding Room Kyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park Kyoto Arashiyama - Monkey Park - Mother & Child

art, Culture, games, hardware, Photography, Recreation, revolution, Security, Soapbox, Software, technology, Travel

Back from Defcon 32 with knowledge swag but no voice

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Defcon32 - Big Sign

I had a great time this year.  i went deep into the sticker game and spent WAY too much time playing with the badge.  Playing with the badge allowed me to meet and work with some incredible people with whom we learned, laughed, and lamented the badge’s terrible supplied SD cards. This year i brought flyers to promote my phone adventure game and joined in with a supply of stickers of my own.  unfortunately the printers gave me too many flyers, but not enough stickers.

Defcon32 - be3n stickers and flyers

My game did get some traction this year for the first time.  Still no winners, but i did get this incredible voicemail from one of the players.  I appreciated more ridiculous phone stuff.  great job whoever you are! EDIT: i think i found you Foxbox!

Defcon32 - badges

Defcon32 - be3n badge zelda

The Badge had a lot of problems.  only some of which were patched with updates.  I excitedly made changes, but then the SD card would fail and be unable change back.  currently mine is stuck as a Mario Game, which is not so terrible.   i can finish the Defcon GameBoy game on an emulator.

Defcon32 - Badge Dev Mode Defcon32 - Badge Game 1 Defcon32 - Badge Game 2 Defcon32 - Badge Game 3Defcon32 - Sticker Haul

Culture, Recreation, technology, Travel, Video Games

My visit to Super Nintendo Land!

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Super Mario Land - Universal Studios CA
There is just no describing the awe and magistracy of exiting that pipe to see Super Nintendo Land in all it’s glory!  I was very impressed.  However, that impression was short lived after i learned there was only a single attraction.  Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge’ ride was fun and included some novel new interactive play.  However, the interactive elements of the land were few and behind long lines and the required $40 NFC wristband. (my flipper read it as a NTAG I2C Plus 1K ISO 14443-3 NFC-a)  It seems that there is only one quest to do involving the collection of four keys. There also appears to be some interaction with the Mario Kart ride, though the specifics were unclear.  As the primary draw to the the park this visit, it was in turn the biggest disappointment.  i hope this 3D Bowser makes it worth it.

Super Nintendo World - Bowser Anaglyph 3D