Winter doldrums gripping your soul with an icy cold hand squeezing the joy out of your life?
Got a bad case of the winter blues?
This is not the time to start a woe is me pity party.
Shake it off, c'mon get happy!
Just because it looks kind of dreary outside it's no excuse to be sad and blue.
So... there I was standing outside the Hotel New Grand in Yokohama thinking what can I do to perk up and be happy. By-the-way, notice that there's still some snow on the street leftover from the snow storm we had last week.
Then, I saw the light! That is the light at the entrance of the original part of the hotel. The hotel was built in 1927; read more about it here: Hotel New Grand
I went inside and was immediately transported back in time.
This place is so cool!
I feel like I'm in an Agatha Christie novel. Maybe "Murder In The Really Cool Hotel"
Then I saw the entrance to the Rainbow Ballroom. Whoa! What's in there?
While I stood there thinking the maître d' walked out of the ballroom and I timidly asked if I could look inside and he looked me over and to my surprise he said "okay".
Magnificent! Or should I say splendid, spectacular, impressive, striking, glorious, superb, majestic, awesome, awe-inspiring, breathtaking... I could go on but I think one gets the idea.
Even the ceiling is finely sculpted.
Sculpted phoenixes adorn the wall above the stage.
I can't believe they let me in here unescorted.
After retreating from the ballroom I spent a little more time taking pictures of the waiting room.
As I was leaving the hotel a couple of the hotel staff asked me if I enjoyed looking around? They smiled as I gushed about how much I'd enjoyed myself.
With my happiness battery fully charged I hit the streets to mingle with humanity.
Japan is a beautiful place filled with beautiful people.
We may travel to the beat of a different drum and that's okay by me.
She's got her man and she ain't letting go!
Dapper Dan - A man on the move.
Fighting the temptation to look at her smart phone.
It may not show but I'll love you 'til the end of time.
A bit dreary looking over at the Motomachi shopping street.
No problem 'cause shopping makes her happy!
I call this the picture of the serious taxi driver.
There's only a river separating Motomachi from China Town. One river and two completely different worlds.
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do
--Pharrell Williams
The harsh winter sunshine can be difficult to work with.
Point the camera one way and it's darkness and shadows. Point it in the opposite direction and the lighting is perfect.
First time for me to see haze grey nail polish on a girl.
There's no age limit on being happy.
Time to start heading home and I've got Yamashita Koen Dori all to myself.
Living together in our separate worlds.
Last shot of the day:
Standing on the corner, shopping bag in her hand
I smiled because I've been to the Rainbow Ballroom
She didn't notice me
C'est la vie
Thanks for stopping by!
Mike
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