Not one of the big marches in Los Angeles, but there must be well over 250 people of all ages!
Galleries
Visit to Otagi Nenbutsu-Ji Temple and a bamboo forest
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.
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.
Shibuya Tokyo shopping & architecture.
The famous Shibya crossing is one of the busiest intersections in the world. It is surrounded by some incredible shopping and archictctte! What a wonderful day.
Getting Spherical!
I got to visit the sphere. it’s got some amazing tech.
Back at the VCF making good on my threat to give them stuff!
As the Vintage Computer Festival Socal jumps back into action, I make good on my promise to bring a car full of ancient equipment. All free to a good home. As usual there were amazing systems from every era running and in beautiful shape. I even saw a man in an SGI kimono!
UPDATE: another carload including X10 automation and lots of original software in boxes. also, a pile of network gear!
art, Culture, games, hardware, Photography, Recreation, revolution, Security, Soapbox, Software, technology, Travel
Back from Defcon 32 with knowledge swag but no voice
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 #StickerLife with a supply of stickers of my own. unfortunately the printers gave me too many flyers, but not enough stickers.
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!
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.
A visit to Meow Wolf Dallas on my Eclipse 2024 Roadtrip.
I couldn’t pass through Dallas for the Eclipse without stopping at the newest installation by my favorite art collective. I was ready to continue my immersive art experience. No booping this time, you collected accomplishments with TXT messages. (i found a few secrets). As usual, the reality bending transitions and transposition of Meow Wolf installation delight and amuse.
I have been walking into refrigerators at Meow Wolf since visiting House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe. It was exciting to see that all refrigerators come together in the latest installation. I had to try out the popsicle door.
My visit to the Vintage Computer Festival SoCal
There were so many incredible computers from the 70s, 80s, and 90s! Beautiful computers that might have just been taken out of the box. I got to play with an Amiga 4000 with a Video Toaster! (My dream box from the 90s) I used a Commodore Pet that is older than i am. Some of my favorite stuff is modern boards that work with the vintage computers like micro SD floppy drives and Wi-Fi modems.
My visit to Nike Missile Site LA-88
The Nike Missile Site LA-88 is back in the mountains of Chatsworth, not far from Oat Mt. It’s an impressive 450 foot gain from the parking, but it’s a pretty cool piece of Los Angeles’ Cold War history. The site includes some great dilapidation if your like that kind of thing. Ruins of two Buses and a car as well as a few buildings and some very sketchy entrances into dark underground places.
