http://romanedirisinghe.com The Official Web Site of Roman Edirisinghe Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:53:29 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Last night, I was fortunate to buy the last available ticket for a Tomatito show. When the show started, he came out alone, and brought me to the point of tears with his musical finesse. After the first song, his musical companions joined him - 2 singers, another guitarist, a ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2008/03/12/tomatito/ For me, the most pronounced thing about Sevilla is not its numerous attractions, sights, tapas bars, and multicultural diversity. It is something far more subtle, and takes some time before it actually sinks in. Sevilla simply smells delicious. Currently, it is Spring here, which means the sour orange trees lining ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2008/03/08/scent-of-orange-blossoms/ Due to a delayed flight, day one of my trip found me stranded at the Newark airport, with no alternative but to find a hotel. Ahh, sleep is priceless after days of erratic rest. This morning, I woke to the deep bass of a giant heartbeat. I thought I was in a ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2008/03/02/indian-wedding/ Here's a video of me enjoying some interesting Japanese cuisine. http://romanedirisinghe.com/2008/02/23/getting-jiggly-with-it/ As it turns out, I'm born to be wild, as is evidenced by the hilarious video below. This somewhat embarrassing extravagance took place at a hotel resort in Ise, Japan, and my witnesses were my traveling companions, and a bunch of inebriated Japanese locals celebrating a wedding. The Japanese ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2008/02/23/im-born-to-be-wild/ Join thousands of other Americans for Human Rights and sign Human Rights First's petition to the presidential candidates asking them to commit to ending policies that have led to torture and tarnished the United States: End Torture Now! Elect to End Torture 08 is a nonpartisan campaign to make sure that the ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2008/02/23/end-torture-now/ As promised months earlier, here is a video of me cutting it up on the monome 40h. http://romanedirisinghe.com/2007/12/11/guchen-cycle-2/ This morning I woke to the unmistakable sound of a midwestern American voice. At first, I was excited to hear the sound, and eager to talk to it's owner, until I discovered that he was preaching, and getting downright biblical on some Malaysian guy staying at the hostel. All of ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2007/11/11/the-bible-banger/ It was raining when I woke, so I decided to skip my sightseeing plans in Tokyo, and head back to Kyoto. Emerging from Kyoto station felt like coming home to a smaller, warmer place. http://romanedirisinghe.com/2007/11/10/back-to-kyoto/ Tokyo is an endless, sprawling megalopolis, a bustling sea of humanity, neon eternity. Upon my arrival, I was blown away by the sheer volume of people in the station, and when I made my way via subway to Shinjuku to find a hotel, I was even more blown away. Shinjuku station's ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2007/11/08/tokyo/ I was wandering aimlessly around Gion today, when I nearly blundered into a Geisha. It happened when I was crossing a busy street (Shijo-dori), and she sort of appeared out of nowhere. She could have been a Maiko, or apprentice Geisha, but I really don't know how to tell them ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2007/11/06/geisha/ My birthday came an went like passing clouds. It was an eventful day, complete with travels to a new city, new accommodations, and the feeling of independence associated with cutting out on one's own. After I did some sightseeing, I checked out Kyoto Station for some meal options. I found a ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2007/11/02/kyoto/ I met Soke Tanemura Shoto (the Genbukan Ninpo World Bugei Grandmaster) today. Nick Shihan helped me get introduced, and I shared with him my emotional experience at Ise Jingu. He told me to continue with my training, and that he would see me in Milwaukee for the Tai-kai in 2008. http://romanedirisinghe.com/2007/11/01/birthday/ Today, we went to Nijō Castle in Kyoto, as part of the tail end of our sightseeing after the Tai-kai. The castle features a nightingale floor, which is an ancient security measure. The simple act of walking across the floor produces a series of squeaks and chirps which, when combined, ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2007/10/31/the-endless-bus-ride/ I had the most amazing experience today. We went to Ise Jingu, the main Shinto shrine, and witnessed a dance ritual. We weren't allowed to video or take pictures, but I will forever remember the feeling in my soul. When the music started, and the dancers danced, I felt deep ... http://romanedirisinghe.com/2007/10/30/ise-jingu-shrine/