Keats describes a beautiful fall afternoon and somehow it reminds me of a certain holiday i had in Japan, a couple of years ago.

As i look back, i remember so many things i encountered and experienced, those which brings a smile at odd times of the day. The lazy afternoon, on a rather cold day, in a town called Otaru (小樽). A tourist town, they had converted warehouses lining a canal into restaurants, cafes and shops. Otaru itself is quaint little town, of a old-world, European sort. Check out this website. Glass, specialty chocolate and pastries are the usual and yummy omi-yage you would end up buying. I bought a heavenly tea flavoured confectionary which i couldn't bring myself to eat - i still have one tiny piece left.

Delightful lil' Otaru also introduced me to the amazing King of Cakes, the Baumkuchen (obviously a German delicacy, it's roughly translated to Tree Cake). Layers and layers of cake mix are actually brushed on a huge skewer-thing and it is 'baked' in a spit. It is baked golden in a sort of a 'pole'. A round cake, when you cut it, you'll see the many layers - which is very like the trunk of a tree with its rings, hence the name.

An Orgel museum and shop sits between the numerous confectioners, with the world's largest steam clock at the front. And would you know - all i have to remember this pretty town is a music box that cannot play, probably got spoiled during our return flight.

But i loved the ambience, the cold brisk autumn air, the delicious unmelting ice cream we had, the bustling little cafes, small but heartfelt displays of musical boxes ... the feeling i was visiting and not staying, a oddly magical moment which i will always hold dear. Sometimes staying isn't all its tricked up to be. Not if you have to see the world pass you by, or best leave, leaving behind social creatures who cannot see beyond a shallow smile and kind but meaningless sweet talk. Don't be shallow, see beyond the person who is a friend but a terrible work partner.

Sigh! Not angry, a little sad ... and slowly coming to terms with the horrifying truth. I guess i have mellowed through the years ...

SONG FOR A MOOD

Milk Tea - Masaharu Fukuyama. The oh-so-handsome singer songwriter is sometimes so underrated. Sure, he sounds the same. But his music doesn't. If you think he is overrated and are judging him by his model looks and stature, are of an opinion that he lacks talent - then please listen to his latest album, a collection of songs that he has written and sang within these five years. I was a little suprised that some songs were folky, some rock and some sounded that he composed with a piano and not by guitar. And so, it is easy-listening on a whole. Yet, it is also diverse and a little different, each a single to stand on its own. I hope to share more of them. This song, i fell in love with, because well, i fell in love with milk tea recently of the Kenyan variety. So it brings me a smile.