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It was 4 years ago today…

Wedding photo, March 14, 2002

…that Naoko and I tied the knot. Given that we lived together for some time before actually getting married, the actual marriage day doesn’t seem all that significant or resonant to me, especially as the “tying the knot” part involved just a few hanko stampings and nary a justice of the peace or any witnesses. On the other hand, because we married the day after we moved to Japan (well, moved back in Naoko’s case), I always view these anniversaries together, which at the very least helps me remember one or the other. And it falls on White Day, which helps out in the gift-giving department (ahem).

Interestingly, on a mailing list for mixed Japanese/non-Japanese parents that I belong to, there is a thread now entitled “Would you do it again?” with respect to the particular trials married international couples face. Hmmn…

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Mamiya Milk Moustache

Kaika, shot with Mamiya (Feb. 21, 2006): click for gallery

It felt good, and the results are pleasing. I dug out the Mamiya 645 camera earlier this week, half expecting to find fungus or something, not having used it in over a year. No fungus apparent, just a dead battery, which didn’t affect metering as there is none with the prism finder I have, but did necessitate being limited to a 1/60 shutter speed (with a dead battery, the shutter will only fire at 1/60). With my trusty analog Sekonic meter in hand, Kaika and I went for a walk around the neighborhood.

All of a sudden felt the tug of a big(ger) negative, and while I certainly have a much more solid 35mm camera than the Mamiya, probably due to size and the loud clang of the shutter, it somehow felt substantial, felt like an old friend (indeed, of all my current cameras, I’ve had it the longest). Getting the negs back tonight, more of the same. Tactile is a word that comes to mind.

Someone suggested family as a way to work through “photographer’s block.” Sally Mann or Friedlander I am not, but we’ll try not to get too hung up on the whys and wherefores for now. Didn’t realize until we were already outside that the wiping off of Kaika’s milk moustache from breakfast had been neglected. In lieu of a makeup artist, I left it as-is. It’s only really apparent in one photo.