My friends, I think this is the most energetic poet I have ever interviewed. Fasten your seat belts, it might be hard to keep up. Smiles. Our friend Totomai, who blogs at Totomai.net, and whose spectacular photos we enjoy so much, has just spent the most incredible year. I managed to latch onto a coattail and slow him down long enough to bring us up to date, and it is exciting, amazing and will leave you breathless. Buckle up, and hold on tight. You are about to have a really good time!
Sherry: Totomai, you recently celebrated nine years of blogging.
Congratulations! We last spoke in 2014 – bring us up to date on what’s new in
your life since then, won’t you?
Totomai: Hi Sherry. I can’t believe that I’ve been blogging
for almost a decade already. Not so much
has changed in my life since our last
chat, though I can say I am 25 kgs lighter than before.
Sherry: Wow! You look great! That's fantastic, kiddo. Way to go!
Totomai: My professional life is still the same, been working in and out of Japan despite the crisis in the oil and gas industry. As long as I still have my work, I think I am more than fine.
Sherry: Wow! You look great! That's fantastic, kiddo. Way to go!
Totomai: My professional life is still the same, been working in and out of Japan despite the crisis in the oil and gas industry. As long as I still have my work, I think I am more than fine.
Sherry: I have gathered from your posts that you are into
fitness/adventure in a big way. Would you like to tell us a bit about that?
Saudi Arabia
Totomai: After my assignment in Saudi Arabia last year, I
realized that it’s time to change my lifestyle. I am categorized as obese (as
per our medical check-up) and working at site was a challenge for me. I easily
got tired and could barely move. In August 2015, I started my low-carb diet. I
thought it was going to be hard but it wasn’t.
As for those adventures, I wanted to experience many
things in Japan. I am afraid of heights, and in order to counter it, I guess I
have to do crazy stuff.
Paragliding was fun. I thought I had frozen tears after the jump.
Climbing Japan's Tallest mountain, Mt. Fuji, was extraordinary. I never climbed a mountain before. I just told my friends, okay, count me in.
Sherry: "What's new? Oh, nothing much. Learned to paraglide, climbed a mountain".....LOL. Your photo of Mt. Fuji is extraordinarily beautiful, Totomai. And you made it to the top! You are unstoppable!
Preparing to jump
Paragliding was fun. I thought I had frozen tears after the jump.
Climbing Japan's Tallest mountain, Mt. Fuji, was extraordinary. I never climbed a mountain before. I just told my friends, okay, count me in.
The climb
Mt Fuji
Sherry: "What's new? Oh, nothing much. Learned to paraglide, climbed a mountain".....LOL. Your photo of Mt. Fuji is extraordinarily beautiful, Totomai. And you made it to the top! You are unstoppable!
Totomai: I’ve been curious about skydiving, so when I
heard that one of my office-mates is a licensed skydiver, I asked a lot of
questions on how I can experience it. She arranged everything and wow, that was
an amazing adventure. I will try to save money to jump again.
Sherry: Afraid of heights? Sure, let's jump out of a plane! Seriously, kiddo, you are brave! And I read that you participated in a lengthy 45 km marathon. That sounds intense!
Sherry: Afraid of heights? Sure, let's jump out of a plane! Seriously, kiddo, you are brave! And I read that you participated in a lengthy 45 km marathon. That sounds intense!
Sherry: It's an achievement to have completed it. I am so happy to see you have published a book of
your photography, titled Filtered Precipitates. How was it, putting it
together? Tell us how you felt, holding it in your hands for the first time.
Totomai: We talked about photobooks during our last conversation.
You have encouraged me to make one. I found it tough, though. Maybe because I
wanted it to be perfect and I had it in monochrome. It felt great; some of my
friends bought a copy and asked me to sign it.
It is a self-published book with my photos and poems. I am planning to
make one next year, but this time, only photos (in color) to celebrate my 10
years of blogging.
Sherry: It will be beautiful, and then you will have two! Yay! You have traveled a great deal in your life. Is
there anywhere on your Bucket List that you’ve been to since we last spoke?
Ecuador
Totomai: I thought I could go to Galapagos Island during my
business trip in Ecuador, but it was impossible. So it still remains on my
bucket list. I went to United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) and Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia since we last spoke. It was my first time for these three countries.
The Grand Palace
in the United Arab Emirates
in the United Arab Emirates
Sherry: Wow, you are seeing the whole world! I love the palace. It has hints of Russian architecture. Is there a place still on the list you are most keen
to see?
Totomai: Maybe
Switzerland. Or Slovenia. I heard some great stuff about these countries.
Singapore
Sherry: In our next chat, I would not be surprised to hear you had scaled the Alps, LOL.
Totomai: I am also trying to visit all of the 47 prefectures in Japan. So far, I have been to 23. And if I decide to return to the Philippines, I plan to go island hopping. You know, our country has 7,107 islands.
Totomai: I am also trying to visit all of the 47 prefectures in Japan. So far, I have been to 23. And if I decide to return to the Philippines, I plan to go island hopping. You know, our country has 7,107 islands.
Totomai: I am currently reading Basho: The Complete
Haiku. I wanted to be like him and I am
trying very hard. Anyone can dream, right? The more I read about Matsuo Basho’s
works, the more I realize that writing haiku is not that easy. There’s more to it than the 5-7-5 scheme.
I also enjoy writing free-verse poetry. The degree of difficulty for both literary
forms is quite similar. But for the time being, I want to focus on improving my
haiku skills, if there are any. Ha ha!
Sherry: I think you are perfecting the art, my friend. I find such brevity very challenging, but should give it a try. Would you like to choose three of your poems to
share with us? And tell us a bit about each?
Colorful
Smile
I
bought a colorful smile
for
a peso or two
when
the mermaids invited
the
mortals to be part of their choir
I
bought a colorful smile
for
a peso or two
when
the sugarcane juiced out
salt
crystals
I
bought a colorful smile
for
a peso or two
when
the sky flooded
the
town black
I
bought a colorful smile
for
a peso or two
to
hide
a
colorless soul
/totomai
Sherry: The poem is wonderful, Totomai, and your gorgeously colorful photo captures the emotions perfectly. I am always saddened to hear of the tragedies in Japan.
Totomai: "Lullaby of the Ocean" was written after I slept on
the shore, waiting for the Hamaorisai Festival. It was a very relaxing feeling.
Hamaorisai ~
a festival celebrated in the ocean
Lullaby
of the Ocean
i
sleep
on
a sandy crib
watch
by two stars
and
some planets
like
musical mobiles
the
curtains above
quickly
change
from
blue to black to blue
somewhere
i
can hear a lullaby
it
is without words
like
a hum
of
a mother
to
a child
thumb
sucking
the
sound grows
louder
and drowns
my
spirit
i
sleep
on
a sandy crib
protected
by the mists
coming
from the ocean
the
lullaby lingers
/totomai
Sherry: Sigh: I can hear the waves. Your poem makes me feel very peaceful, too. And your photos are incredibly beautiful.
Totomai: "Dream House" is a poem for the homeless.
Dream
House
I
can make my own ---
not
the houses sketched
by
architects and arranged
by
interior designers.
I
do not need a thermal roof,
a
couple of rusty GI sheets
with
used rubber tires
as
weights would do.
I
care less about marble floors,
French
windows and sliding doors;
I'll
use smoked plywood
and
discarded hollow blocks.
This
is the dream I have every night
as
I curl like a fetus,
in
the careless womb of the city
wrapped
in a blanket of newspapers.
/totomai
Sherry: Yes, to a man wrapped against the chill in newspapers, the simplest shelter would seem more than adequate.
Totomai: Finally, here is a haiku in honor of Matsuo Basho.
fragile syllables
over rice cakes and green tea
the soul of Basho
/totomai
Sherry: I love this one, love the rice cakes and green tea. Thanks, Totomai. Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Totomai: I also enjoy designing shirts using UNIQLO
application to do them. Some of them are available online in Japan. Check them
out. http://bit.ly/1sZWdoM
Sherry: That's cool. I see you have them for sale on your website, and they are great. I saw one with cherry blossoms, too. Kids, you can WEAR Totomai's photos! How cool is that?
Just before this feature posted, Totomai, I understand you received some recognition for your talent for photography.
Totomai: I submitted photos to the National Geographic Travel Photographer contest. While not one of the winners, two of my photos were picked as editors' favorites (sort of a shortlist in choosing the winners), during the contest. It inspired me to take more photos and explore the world.
[The link to the gallery of winning photos is here and, kids, they are amazing! And here are the two photos that the editors took notice of: one in the Cities category and one in People. Both are amazing.]
Sherry: Congratulations, my friend! You are hitting the big-time. Next year, I am sure you will be among the winners. (We'll do another update!) You are so talented!
In closing, is there anything you'd like to say to the good folks at Poets United?
Sherry: That's cool. I see you have them for sale on your website, and they are great. I saw one with cherry blossoms, too. Kids, you can WEAR Totomai's photos! How cool is that?
Just before this feature posted, Totomai, I understand you received some recognition for your talent for photography.
Totomai: I submitted photos to the National Geographic Travel Photographer contest. While not one of the winners, two of my photos were picked as editors' favorites (sort of a shortlist in choosing the winners), during the contest. It inspired me to take more photos and explore the world.
[The link to the gallery of winning photos is here and, kids, they are amazing! And here are the two photos that the editors took notice of: one in the Cities category and one in People. Both are amazing.]
[Can you see Totomai with his camera in the centre?
He looked up and saw his reflection in the lights.]
Sherry: Congratulations, my friend! You are hitting the big-time. Next year, I am sure you will be among the winners. (We'll do another update!) You are so talented!
In closing, is there anything you'd like to say to the good folks at Poets United?
Sakura
Sherry: It is the reason I keep writing poems, too, kiddo. I started writing them again after my writing had slowed to a trickle for lack of support in the real world. It is why I remain so dedicated - and grateful.
Thank you, Totomai. A visit with you is always wonderful, for both eyes and heart. We can't get enough of your poetry and I am stoked to know one can WEAR one of your photos, now. Smiles. It doesn't get any better!
Well, my friends, wasn't this enjoyable? Totomai is the man to watch: jumping out of airplanes, climbing mountains, producing books, working full time and turning out wonderful poems and photos. He makes it look easy. Do come back and see who we talk to next. Who knows? It might be you!
Whoa! Totomai, you are as CRAZY :) as you are prolific.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful too, for being on this site. You arelways a pleasant surprise.
ZQ
Oops! "for YOU being on this site. You are always a pleasant and vibrant surprise.
DeleteThank you very much ZQ. :)
DeleteOh wow Totomai...you certainly are conquering your fears. And reading your poetry is such a joy....when you put it together with your photo travelogue, it is magic as we can see in your wonderful book. You are a wonderful inspiration! Thanks Sherry for bringing us this update.
ReplyDeleteSherry brings out the best of me during the interview. I talked a lot haha. Thanks too Donna for your continuous support.
DeleteYour energy for life and photography and poetry is infectious and can't help but lift the spirits - how wonderful that you share your adventures with us. I agree next time we meet up I expect you will be even more successful - I love the colour in your words and photos so it will be another brilliant book! Well done on everything and thank you Sherry...think I need a cup of tea now!
ReplyDeleteIs it green tea, Jae? Your poetry, in one or another, also inspires me, especially when it comes to free-verse. I will never get tired sharing my adventures to everyone here in Poets United.
DeleteGood old fashioned English Breakfast - we may try green tea one day ;)
DeleteWOW! Good to learn about this adventure enthusiast, poet and a frequent traveller, Sherry.The pics are truly captivating.Thanks for this wonderful interview. It is such a joy to learn so much about Totomai …his work has been such an inspiration to me!!
ReplyDeleteThanks to both of you for putting this interview together! Enjoyed the reading.
Aww, thanks Panchali. You are making me blush. :-)
DeleteTotomai, you are amazing. Such good energy! Thanks for the lift, we are starting our week off with a bang. Next time I feel "too tired" I will think of you, LOL. Am glad you are enjoying the feature, my friends. I knew you would!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I can be that energizer then Sherry. :) It's really amazing how this site make us all connected. Cheers!
DeleteI've been enjoying your haiku, too. Here I was especially intrigued with buying a smile. I'd live to see a book of smiles, some bought and some real. I enjoy your energy for adventure and your way of seeing--the homeless dream, for example--and the gentle breeze that tones your words. In your t-shirts I LOVE the nature ones, especially "one lip. tulips. gone." 'Spring clouds" And the autumn farewell. Gosh!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. I think I still have lots to learn in making haiku but everything is continuous process so I am very patient. :-) Thanks for the Wednesday prompts too. How I wish I can join regularly.
DeleteWhat a lovely start to my morning, to come here and read all this! I always love Totomai's poems and photos, and I am in awe of the adventures and travels, not to mention the weight loss. The T-shirts are terrific – and the tote bags. And I will be grabbing a copy of the pdf version of the book. (I prefer reading onscreen these days.) You use colour beautifully in your photos, Totomai, but monochrome can look amazing too, and the one on the cover certainly does – though I will be getting the book as much for your poetry. Enjoy your haiku journey! I did the same for a number of years, and discovered, as you are doing, that haiku is at once the easiest and most difficult form to work with! But so rewarding, and very addictive.
ReplyDeleteJust came back to say, I have got the book and it's WONDERFUL. Those poems are among your very best, I think, and those photos couldn't possibly be anything else but black and white, they work so well that way. No, I don't read quite that fast – I had a dip in, then forced myself to put it aside to savour more leisurely later. :-)
DeleteThank you so much Rosemary, I hope you will enjoy the book. I'll read them again once I return to Japan. Haha. I agree, haiku is very addictive. But it got me frustrated at times haha.
DeleteHi everyone, I am currently in Korea for some meetings but I will reply to each one of you later.
ReplyDeleteI never thought I talked a lot Sherry, I got exhausted after reading the interview. Ha ha! Seriously though, I am thankful to be a part of Poets United.
Will continue to share my poetry, photography and travels if time allows. Don't worry I am trying to post regularly as much as I can. :)
Will be back later. I hope the meeting will finish early haha
Halong Pirmi
(Take care always)
We look forward to some photos of Korea.............how wonderful!!
DeleteOh yes, I hope you will share photos of Korea at some point, Totomai!
DeleteOh, I did not bring my camera this time. Maybe I'll take some snaps with my phone :-)
DeleteAnother fascinating interview, Sherry. Very cool to learn more about Totomai - whose posts are WONDER-FUL: beautiful photographs, lovely poetry ... and Oh! those adventures.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy. Trying different adventures while I still can :-)
DeleteThat is a lot of 'nothing' :)
ReplyDeleteA very interesting and inspiring interview. And a beautiful haiku to end it with.
--Nimi
www.NimiArora.com
Thanks Nimi :-)
DeleteI really enjoyed this opportunity to catch up with you, Totomai. You really have been busy. Wow, what an accomplishment to complete a 45 km marathon! And paragliding - what bravery. And climbing Mr. Fuji....sounds as if your life is composed of fulfilling dreams. Your photography continues to awe me. I enjoyed the poetry you shared. "Dream House" makes one really feel for those who are homeless.. And I can almost hear the 'lullaby of the ocean.' I am glad that Poets United keeps you writing poetry, Totomai. Smiles! YOU are inspiring. And thank YOU, Sherry, for your ability to ask questions & find out interesting things!!
ReplyDeleteSometimes work - you know - is a big distraction haha. Kidding. Thanks Mary. Photography and poetry are my stress busters so both keep me sane. Thank you also for your support in everything I do. Really appreciate it :-)
DeleteAnd congrats on doing so well on the National Geographic Travel Photographer contest. I have a feeling ONE of these days you WILL be the winner!
ReplyDeleteI hope so. But as long as I enjoy shooting, it's all good.
DeleteKudos to your energy, determination and 'Colorful Smile' Totomai. Reading your lines with all those magical clicks are Bliss. And Sherry! What an amazing chat!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sumana. So happy to be a part of the group and to know each one of you.
DeleteWhat a wonderful interview, your photo's set an example for the rest of us trying... and I always enjoy crossing path with you.
ReplyDeleteSame here Bjorn. Maybe someday we can shoot in Sweden :-)
DeleteHey that would be fun... :-) just send me a heads up and we can go hunting.
DeleteBy the way, photos from the National Geographic linked above can be downloaded as wallpapers on your phone, tablets, PC :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks again. I read your comments after the meeting and I am really thankful to be a part of Poets United. LOL! I kept on repeating what I've said earlier.
More poems from all of us. Keep on writing. Keep on shooting everyone.
You are amazing totomai! In the air and mountain climbing are two very challenging pastimes - not an easy way to counter fear of heights. Have always been fascinated with your great photos especially those of Japanese festivals posted sometime ago. Your poems have that special air of simplicity yet perfectly executed.
ReplyDeleteHank
Arigatou Hank. I am becoming a virtual tourist guide and I think I like it haha
DeleteWhat an exciting life. I admire your courage, Totomai, to confront your fears and to address health issues with such determination. Your photos are spectacular and , of course, I enjoy your poetry. You inspire me to try to write haiku. I've always known it's not an easy form.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this update Sherry. As always, I enjoyed the peek at another poet's life.
Thanks Myrna. Haiku is a charming form and has a strong impact in delivering its messages.
DeleteI do love these features and seeing behind the scenes into each poet's life - all so varied and interesting and, in this case exciting!!!!! Yay!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading these features every Monday :)
DeleteTotomai you are a creative inspiration to many of us. I hope your horizons continue to broaden as your haiku condenses beauty.
ReplyDeleteThanks Leslie. Hopefully I can master the art of haiku. Fingers-crossed.
DeleteWhat a pleasure it is to regularly visit your site and be entranced both by your photography and your poetry Totomai which always expresses such beautiful feelings.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin. I remember we first met at Sunday Scribblings. :-)
Deletetotomai, you're simply amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteCheers! Thabks ds!
DeleteTotomai I am loving your style! I will have to take a look at your TShirts and I love your photographs. As a fellow artist I think you're great! I would like to design some TShirts myself been thinking of it. I have hand drawn on clothes like jeans but never sold any.
ReplyDeleteIt must be the best to travel like that! You're lucky you can do it. I have never been overseas. I would so jump out of a plane too if I had the chance.
I too, went on a health journey this last year and am so happy I did so, losing weight and being in the best shape I've ever been in so I know how it feels. It's hard to describe but I tell people it's hard to be depressed when you feel so good. Lol!
I really enjoyed learning about you. Joining photography/art with poetry is something we have in common. I look forward to more!
Big hug! Bekkie
Great job Sherry! You are an interviewer extraordinaire! Love you! Bekkie
ReplyDeleteTotomai I forgot the haiku! Basho is the best! I don't know if you've read Brendon Kent, (from the UK) he has a book or 2 out and has won several awards (some international) for his haiku. He's the one who taught me that it's much more than 5,7,5 like you stated. If you look his work up, let me know how you like it. I adore haiku but just when I think I understand it, I don't. Practice makes perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Bekkie
Thanks Bekkie, will check Brendon Kent. Yeah, practice makes perfect :)
DeleteI am also happy that Poets United allows me to share my photography and poetry at the same time :)