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Absurdum
Level 1: 42 points
Alltime Score: 712 points
Last Logged In: December 15th, 2009
TEAM: Level Zerø Biome Rank 1: Hiker

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20 + 45 points

Dérive by Absurdum

September 12th, 2008 5:05 AM

INSTRUCTIONS: Among the various situationist methods is the dérive [literally: 'drifting'], a technique of transient passage through varied ambiances. In a dérive one or more persons during a certain period drop their usual motives for movement and action, their relations, their work and leisure activities, and let themselves be drawn by the attractions of the terrain and the encounters they find there.

One can dérive alone, but all indications are that the most fruitful numerical arrangement consists of several small groups of two or three people who have reached the same awakening of consciousness, since the cross-checking of these different groups' impressions makes it possible to arrive at objective conclusions.

The full text...

Undertake a dérive, and report your objective conclusions to your fellow players.

Derive is the second of the tasks I completed while over in Japan recently (the first being jet lag).

I was in a bit of a quandary when it came to choosing where to complete this task. I had decided to do it somewhere I considered "home territory", which narrowed it down a bit, but that still left several places. I finally narrowed it to either Akihabara and Kamakura, and Kamakura won by a nose simply because I ALWAYS engage in derive while in Akihabara, whereas in Kamakura I almost always rigidly plan my day around an event, seasonal phenomena or specific set of places to visit.

I actually found it very hard to chose somewhere to just "let go". I'm all too aware of interesting places lurking down each alleyway, and to actually ignore this knowledge in favor of immediate stimuli was... a challenge. I actually cheated a little by postponing the task until I had gone to a specific jam-shop which does the best scones I have EVER eaten, and over 300 flavors of jam to put on them. Pineapple and mango - YUM!!!

I trekked back to the station, spun myself around with my eyes closed, and chose a random exit. The rest of the story will be told in photo captions...

+ larger

Temple
Starting point.
Mascots
My neighbour.
Clean living
No, YOU'RE a fishmonger!
SHINY!!!
GATE.
Cute
Ready to roll
Dodging traffic.
Fortress
Street
Signposts
Ajisai
Tomb
Good luck
Oooh, another gate.
Bad timing.
Time to get off.
Hammering?
Pretty
Construction
Turtles.
Flapping.
Good luck
Prayer flags
Enma
Working hard? Or hardly working?
Sign
Back to work
Crying child
Geluk?
The pigeon man.
Crane
Gate
Leading to a little forested temple.
BIG TEMPLE
Dark hole...
Small gate
Huh.
High tech
Festival
Kimono
Amish.
Menu
A SIGN!!!
Historical dog?
Owls.
Cooler.
Pink.
Cool
More owls.
STICKERS!!!
Cat
Afternoon tea.
Purple.
Ultra
Parade
What's that smell...
THE WINNER

9 vote(s)

5

Jellybean of Thark

 5

susy derkins

 5

Adam

 5

JJason Recognition

 5

Lincøln

 5

The Found Walrus

 5

Ben Yamiin

 5

Burn Unit

 5

anna one


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6 comment(s)

I feel like saying, Matrix-style, "I know Kamakura!"
posted by susy derkins on September 12th, 2008 11:13 AM

I love the arrangement: you follow gut feelings/immediate reactions and we get to enjoy the journey both through a piece of the world and through your brain.

(no subject)
posted by JJason Recognition on September 12th, 2008 11:44 AM

Wonderful

(no subject)
posted by The Found Walrus on September 15th, 2008 5:38 PM

This is most impressive, both because of the location and the way you describe and interpret it. double-whammy of win.

Thanks.
posted by Absurdum on September 16th, 2008 4:47 AM

Thanks for those kind words... I was starting to wonder. Somehow most of my recent praxi seem to have slipped thought he cracks somehow, and I was starting to suspect a distinct lack of win...

It's nice to think that it might just be end of era related, or plain bad luck.

I must say too that your opinion is especially well received after reading your and Waldo's recent completes - it's always nice when people who's work you admire say nice things about yours.

(no subject)
posted by Burn Unit on October 29th, 2008 6:14 AM

Now this, this is tasking that adds only good things to travel. Interesting to read, and I have no doubt fun to do.

(no subject)
posted by Absurdum on November 2nd, 2008 4:55 AM

Thank you again senator for your kind words. I am already starting to think through some tasks for my forthcoming trip back to Japan (in about 6 weeks time). I will keep your comments firmly in mind - both the more recent ones and the extended comments in the earlier thread.