𝐇𝐏88

@uncleweed What a great love story, beautifully and (of course) poetically told! Congratulations to you both on your anniversary. 💕

7 Lucky Years Our Okayama love story began in the aftermath of a typhoon, amidst flooding & landslides and into a heat wave We met at a goat farm, her and a couple of jazz musicians, me in pink monogrammed pajamas, hiding out with a legendary goat shepherd/hippest dude in Japan, avoiding going to Utah to tend to delicate business Soon we were on the road and quickly I was smitten, I remember the moment: a Tottori mountain shrine, covered with moss, her looking at every plant by the side of the river A few days later, I told her of my life situation, full of conundrums & bits of trepidation yet somehow full of ideas for a future. She told me her dreams and I listened closely By the time my birthday came, at a ryokan in Kurashiki, after endless plates of kaiseki, yukata, lanterns coming out, bridges of canals, I think I had her captured as much as her sweet free spirit can be. I met her parents at a festival, they offered me yakitori and were unsurprised by the weirdo, beardo foreigner (looking sharp in kimono and specs). After all she’d gone planting trees in Siberia, jungles in Java (or was it Sumatra?), and further expeditions elsewhere, plus starting her own arborist business, practicing tea ceremony, singing jazz and a dozen other hobbies and classes… so I was hardly shocking. I wrote a formal letter to her father anyhow, to explain my life circumstance and ask for her parents’ support Flash forward a few months and we were on a tiny island in Indonesia through an eggnog-filled Christmas, extending her plane ticket through New Year (including the great mochi hunt), and suddenly we were handcrafting a booklet-length mixed media wedding invitation and mailing them everywhere from a dingy post office What we thought would maybe be 20 people for an afternoon at a shrine with maybe a luncheon afterwards turned into a 10 day (or two month depending on how you count it) international rager with multi-day festivities from Shinto shrines to jazz clubs to the goat farm, which transformed into an interactive artsy crafty wonderland There were multiple outfit changes, the most spectacular guests. I used all my Japanese words over and over again meeting interesting people from all of Ryoko’s life circles who all beamed at her joyfulness, and then a renegade squadron of internationals arriving from all points, sparking parties, taking over Okayama and being so gracious with their help ~ so many of them heading elsewhere on adventures and rendezvousing back to compare notes, check in and turn Mac’s goat farm into a hippie hostel I meant to tell you the whole story of what happened between then and now, but being incapable of brevity I’ll just say: seven years of “everything” ~ the high point of course welcoming Ichiro in the midst of a public health conundrum and since the three of us on so many adventures since: road trips & flights to sensei and relatives, hot springs, parks and gardens, a truly Vancouver area bonanza attempting to introduce all my favorite memories and erstwhile culture but especially meeting friends and family who have stuck by me through some tough times We’ve managed a couple of awsum house remixes, sparking businesses, hosting Christmases, celebrating everything, picnic anywhere, coffee and tea everywhere, figuring out how to “make the $&¥ work”, art projects of all sorts, DIY experiments, and holy wow so much paperwork of all sorts, of course a challenging but meaningful string of hospital visits ~~ but you know all this because I documented it all because… I’m so incredibly fortunate to find Ryoko, I tell her all the time I had to circumnavigate the world looking for her and then there she was within a five minute window to step through the sliding doors into this new life (and a 12 minute drive from where I was 22 years before running away from a mushroom farm) I watch her go from grubby work clothes and cleaning her chainsaw in the bathroom sink, to singing like Ella Fitzgerald with sparkles and a gown, to leading tea ceremony in vintage kimono, and then romping around and laughing with our incredible kid, the three of us playing games, reading books, or them working on the garden as I try to figure out a chord on the ukulele Ryoko, you are so patient, so sweet, so smart, so strong, you never stop learning and expanding and growing yourself and somehow manage to become more beautiful each day Thank you for waiting for me, believing in me and keeping us positive and moving forward I’m going to live to 110 so we can enjoy so much more of everything ~~ 僕たちの岡山ラブストーリーは、台風のあとから始まった 洪水や土砂崩れの気配がまだ残っていて、そのまま猛暑に流れ込んでいくような時期だった 出会ったのはヤギ農場 彼女はジャズミュージシャンたちと一緒で、僕はピンクのモノグラム入りパジャマ姿 日本でいちばんヒップなヤギ飼い、伝説級のMacと一緒に身を潜めていて、ユタに戻って面倒な用事に向き合うのを先延ばしにしていた すぐに僕たちは旅に出て、あっという間に僕は夢中になった はっきり覚えている瞬間がある 鳥取の山の神社、苔に覆われていて、川沿いの植物をひとつひとつ見ている彼女の姿 数日後、僕は自分のややこしい状況を彼女に話した 不安もいろいろあったけど、それでも未来のアイデアだけは妙にたくさんあって 彼女も自分の夢を話してくれて、僕はただ静かに、聞いていた やがて誕生日が来て、倉敷の旅館で過ごした 会席料理が延々と続いて、浴衣、灯りがともり、運河の橋を渡っていく夜 彼女の自由な魂が許す限りで、少しは僕のほうに引き寄せられていたんじゃないかと思う お祭りでご両親にも会った 焼き鳥を出してくれて、ひげの外国人（着物と眼鏡で一応ちゃんとしてる）にも特に驚かず というのも彼女はシベリアで植林をしたり、ジャワ（スマトラだったかも）でジャングルに入ったり、あちこち旅をして、樹木医の仕事もしていて、茶道もやるしジャズも歌うし、他にもいろいろやっている人だから 僕くらいでは特にどうということもなかったんだと思う それでも僕はお父さんに手紙を書いた 自分の状況を説明して、どうか見守ってくださいとお願いするために それから数ヶ月後、インドネシアの小さな島でクリスマスを過ごしていた エッグノッグを飲みながら、彼女の航空券を年明けまで延ばして（餅探しの大冒険も含めて） 気がつけば、冊子みたいな手作りのミックスメディア招待状を作って、少し薄暗い郵便局からあちこちに送り始めていた 最初は神社でちょっとした式と、そのあと軽い食事会くらいで20人くらいかなと思っていたのに 気づけば、数え方によっては10日間（あるいは2ヶ月とも言えるような）国際的な大騒ぎになっていて 神社からジャズクラブ、そしてヤギ農場へと続く連日の出来事 農場はいつの間にか、アートで手仕事で満ちた不思議な空間に変わっていた 衣装替えも何度もあって、ゲストも本当にすごかった 僕は知っている日本語を総動員して、彼女のいろんな世界の人たちに会って みんな彼女の楽しそうな様子を見て嬉しそうにしていて さらに世界中から集まってきた仲間たちが岡山を拠点にして、あちこちに出かけてはまた戻ってきて、話を持ち寄って Macのヤギ農場はヒッピー宿みたいになっていった 本当はこのあとから今までのことも全部話したいんだけど 僕はどうも短くまとめるのが苦手なので、こう言っておくことにする 「全部」みたいな7年間 その中でもいちばんは、あの状況の中で一朗を迎えたこと それから3人で、いろんな場所へ行った 先生や親戚に会いに行ったり、温泉、公園や庭、そしてバンクーバー周辺をぐるっと巡る大遠征 自分の大事な記憶や文化を少しでも共有したくて、そして何より、これまで支えてくれた友人や家族に会いに行く時間でもあった 家もいくつかリミックスして、仕事もいろいろ生まれて、クリスマスを何度もやって、どこでもピクニックして、コーヒーやお茶をあちこちで飲んで、お金のやりくりをなんとか考えて、アートやDIYもやって そして、びっくりするくらいの書類仕事と、病院通いの日々もあって でもそのあたりは、記録してきた通り 僕は良子に出会えたことが本当に幸運だと思っている 世界をぐるっと回ってやっと見つけたと思ったら、実はほんの数分のタイミングで、その引き戸を開ければそこにあった新しい人生だった （22年前にキノコ農場から逃げ出した場所から車で12分の距離でもあった） 彼女は、作業着でチェーンソーを洗面台で洗っている姿から、スパンコールのドレスでエラ・フィッツジェラルドみたいに歌う姿へ、そして着物で茶道を教える姿へと、軽やかに行き来する そして僕たちのすごい子どもと一緒に笑いながら遊ぶ 3人でゲームをしたり、本を読んだり、庭仕事をしている横で、僕はウクレレのコードをなんとか探している 良子 本当に優しくて、賢くて、強くて、そしてよく学び続けている人 なぜか毎日少しずつ、さらに美しくなっていく 待ってくれて、信じてくれて、前に進ませ続けてくれて、ありがとう 110歳まで生きるつもりだから これからも、まだまだいろんなことを一緒にやろう

@miyazakimickey Healthy lad! I’ve only made them since I found a grower of these sweet peppers, as they are so fresh and hold together when stuffed. I really like them! Will add some raisins next time.

@hp88 Yeah! Seems dumb but they've always been one of my top comfort foods. I was that rare little kid who liked everything that most joeys hated, especially veggies & fish.

Dinner is stuffed!

@Chan3Judy No meat in this version

@hp88 Any meat. First dish I made in Australia..

Got some freshly picked eggplants yesterday from a Vietnamese/Aussie guy who is an incredible grower! He also grows chillies, and I’ve made hot sauce for him. Moussaka Monday - enough to stock the freezer too

The liver's best friend is the muscle. Your liver listens to your muscles. Every type of movement has a different dose and a different benefit, all backed by trials. Here's the playbook, for you to include in your routine, whichever helps you maintain consistency. Brisk walking The most accessible liver medicine there is. 150 min/week cuts liver fat by ≥30% on MRI, and every extra 1,000 daily steps lowers your risk of developing fatty liver by ~12% (UK Biobank Study, 91,000 people). Moderate-intensity cardio (MICT) Steady jogging, cycling, or swimming at a "can talk, can't sing" pace. 30–45 min, 3–5 days a week for 12 weeks reduces liver fat by 2–4% (absolute) and drops liver inflammation (enzyme levels) significantly - even without weight loss. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) Short hard bursts - e.g., 4 minutes at 85–95% max heart rate, 3 min easy, repeated 4 times. In 12 weeks it cuts liver fat by 16–37%, improves heart function, and matches steady cardio in half the time. Sprint interval training (SIT) Even shorter, even harder - sessions under 15 minutes. 6 weeks reduces intrahepatic triglycerides by 12% and visceral fat by 17% in men with fatty liver (MASLD). Biggest liver benefit for the smallest time spent. Resistance / strength training Weights or bodyweight - squats, presses, rows, pulldowns. 3 sets, 3 times a week, 40–45 min. Reduces liver fat independent of weight loss, uniquely lowers liver enzyme, and is the single most important exercise for cirrhosis patients to prevent muscle loss (sarcopenia). Combined aerobic + resistance The gold standard. Network meta-analyses rank this combination as #1 for improving triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol in patients with fatty liver (MASLD) - better than either alone. If you only pick one strategy, pick this one. Yoga (Hatha / Surya Namaskar) - these are not classical Yoga, but modernized versions. For example: Surya Namaskar was developed into its current 12-posture sequence in the early 20th century, largely by the Raja of Aundh and later popularized by T. Krishnamacharya. T. Krishnamacharya also modernized classical Hatha Yoga into its globally known "dynamic" form. Classical Yoga is not useful for liver health as it is not aerobic. Plus classical Yoga is pseudoscientific in its principles of practice. That said, 8-12 weeks of Asanas like Surya Namaskar, Ardha Matsyendrasana, Paschimottanasana, Naukasana - 3 sessions/week improves liver tests, insulin resistance, and fatty liver grade - especially in patients with type 2 diabetes plus fatty liver disease. Pilates and core work 8 weeks of Pilates reduces body weight, body fat, liver enzymes, and liver fat on ultrasound. A joint-friendly option for people who can't run or lift heavy. Tai Chi / Qigong Low-impact mind-body movement, 30–60 min, 3 times a week. Improves glucose control, insulin sensitivity, and balance/ stability, muscle tone. Gentle enough for older patients, those with early decompensated cirrhosis, or people with poor cardiorespiratory fitness. Exercise in cirrhosis Even advanced liver disease responds well to exercise treatment! Combined aerobic + resistance training cuts serious events (death, major complications) from 12.3% to 5.6% in randomized trials, and prevents the muscle wasting that drives death events in cirrhosis patients. So make physical activity your number one preference to maintain liver health and reduce liver disease.

@miyazakimickey Stuffed peppers?

@hp88 O m g. You're killing me- again! Another lifelong addiction.

@Chan3Judy Thanks. For dinner tonight too!

@hp88 Wow that looks superb 😋

Tonight’s colours

1/ Wang Fuk Court residents began returning home from 9am on Monday to retrieve their belongings - the first time they had been allowed back since the deadly fire in November. They were given three hours to gather their belongings and had to use the stairs, as lifts had been disabled. Authorities allowed them to book subsequent time slots if necessary, after residents complained that a single three-hour window would be insufficient.

@MicahSaitama I started with a spreadsheet, planning to keep track. Lasted about a month! Trouble is when apocalypse comes, no electricity! As I found out in last year’s big storm.

@hp88 Good way to reduce food waste. My mum has a big freezer too. Always chock full. You know, in case of an apocalypse!

@MicahSaitama Hah! Never know how many I’m feeding, but I portion these up for the freezer, just in takeaway containers and they fit fine. I have a medium size freezer in the garage. Yes it is often jammed, but I do use what I cook, prefer to batch cook.

@hp88 How many are you feeding again ? You must have a freezer god the size of a car (just kidding. Looks great )

In 2024-25, over 2.3m Australian passports were issued, making this a billion dollar annual revenue stream for the Federal government. Singapore’s passport, which is equally secure, costs S$70 to renew. Nice little earner if there ever was one! smh.com.au/traveller/revi…

@Andyk191629 Yeah, it definitely requires motivation. I wanted to use the eggplants before they got past their prime, plus I love moussaka! Good luck with yours

@hp88 Lots of lovely moussaka there.! Got everything for a veg moussaka yesterday, but never got round to it...maybe today 😊

@scsceean Ouch! Hope the pain eases soon

Took a massive fall on the slopes on Saturday and strained my neck. Couldn't even use the rowing machine in gym yesterday because moving my head hurts. Still in pain today, relying on Salonpas now.

During Covid, Trump awarded himself 10 out of 10 for his handling of the crisis. He had spoken of people injecting bleach. I called his perfect score a “ridiculous boast”. The BBC complaints unit found against me. I talk of the institutional timidity around Trump coverage here.

@MikeSealander I have literally just had pizza for breakfast! (Healthy pizza)

@hp88 Your diet is so healthy, I expect you to show photos of flying across the Pacific.

Brekkie of sourdough crepes. 1st wrapped a 1 egg omelette w melted Gruyère cheese - umami heaven. 2nd maple syrup and red finger lime - new to me and a winner!

Whoa, the tacky, tatty and dangerous-looking mermaid tank is an official harbourfront feature, supported by the government. Yesterday the two mermaids were struggling to open the tarpaulin top, on their own without support (there was no safety person to help them or observe). I guess they use that cover to keep the bugs out... but it must have become unbearably hot and stuffy in the 30cm air-space. I'm no mermaid tank expert but this tank was not designed for outdoor use or Hong Kong summer. (@fishmoding may comment) At least three to five govt departments/bureau are responsible here: FEHD for water quality and safety, Buildings Dept for tank safety and Labour Dept for worker rights/safety. DevB is the brains behind "Harbour Fun" although some of that is operated by LCSD. Perfect world, a surprise inspection to check at least if the tank is operating according to approved conditions. Reality: all three-to-five departments/bureaux will pass the buck on each other and if there are any inspections, the operator will get plenty of warning.

@MikeSealander Every day, September to May

@hp88 the flag is planted.

Monday beach

@ZealandEarly Me neither, but I am always curious about food origins. Seems to be some debate on this one! Looks so delicious

@hp88 Thanks:) Funny that I have never seen it before. I would stick to the traditional afghan I think.

Came across this at a cafe in Christchurch last year. Was wondering if this is made elsewhere, or was a creation just by that cafe.