Inspiration For Longevity

 Please see the Japanese translation below! I am sorry as I have been so busy that I have not done any recent photo trips. These photos are from the trip I did with Stuart to Oshima Island. What a great place! Let's start with the bad. I mentioned previously that  I had a pinched nerve in my neck about six months ago. Unfortunately, I guess I did not have enough fun with that experience, so I am now struggling with this for a second time. This time, I am not sure what caused this pinched nerve. Other than no cycling for three weeks, I am doing pretty well, as I can still go for walks and slow runs. Oh, well! Next, let's talk about the good. I decided to register with an ESL (English as a second language) teaching site called Preply. Tutors like me have profiles on this site, and then students pick their own tutors.  I have had a very strong response and now have five regular students. If you go to the Preply site, you can do a search for Bob R. and see my profile.  I...

  Please see below for the Japanese translation! Sometimes we photographers just get lucky! I was headed to the store with Setsuko when she commented on the pretty clouds. Pretty indeed! I was very happy to be able to capture those cloud formations! Speaking of happy, I was also happy to take the other pictures when we were waiting to pick up our exchange student. Very cute figures and some nice buildings! I am now certified via TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) to teach that subject. Yeah!  If I do not get much substitute teaching work this year, I will be looking to build my tutoring and TEFL teaching business. Please let me know if you or someone you know is interested in my services.  My web site is tutorinspiration.com The other good news is that I am not going to need cardiac ablation surgery at this time. That is surgery to prevent bouts of atrial fibrillation, a condition that includes excessive and irregular heart beats. I have had 14 occurrences over th...

  Please see below for the Japanese translation! This series of photos is dedicated to my good friend Rigel, one of the amazing teachers at the American School in Japan, and an excellent cyclist, and a wonderful all-round good person!   Rigel just got back from a satisfying trip to a number of places, including a camp property he owns in Nova Scotia. Not until now have I realized that one of my greatest photo adventures happened so close to that property. In 2015, I attended a family wedding on the east coast and then drove to Perce, which is just north of Nova Scotia. I then took a boat to Bonaventure Island, one of the world's best places to photograph gannets.  I will never forget that experience. After a short 30 minute boat ride, there is a 30 minute hike to the bird sanctuary. As I walked down the final hill to the birds, I could hear the most incredibly loud sound of thousands of these gannets. For the next four hours, my shutter went mad as I took 3000 photos...

  Please see below for the Japanese translation! I hope you enjoy these photos! They are from two dreams that came true! The photos with the gorgeous green statue were taken at the Toko-ji Temple. The cool river shot is of the Tama River. Details below! I think I may have mentioned that I have been doing Sunday morning bike rides with a wonderful group from The American School in Japan. Our rides have always taken us past the Toko-ji Temple. For several years, I have dreamed of going by myself and then taking the time to photograph that amazing place. Today I made it happen!   It was a gorgeous 10 mile ride through peaceful farmland. Not only was the temple a dream come true, I did not see a single soul. I had the place to myself! I have probably ridden past that Tama River shot several hundred times. Again, I told myself that one day, I would stop and photograph that lovely scene from the bridge. Dream come true number two! I continue to be so impressed with the photogra...