Tom & Nana: Old Town Kent

Old Town Kent is green.

A cobbly place.

Full of old standers.

Old English things.

And this double door.

Tom's Notes—Say one thing...

I'm a conservative. At least, I think I'm a conservative. I had a conversation with an old friend recently that made me reconsider. Then, I read a line in a trusted book that made me doubt. And then I heard a reputable psychologist's quote that left me doubtless about my doubt.

My friend's mail illustrated to me how much we make up their own versions of what words like "conservative" or "socialist" mean; in a nice line F.F. Centore asked whether declaring yourself Christian may not be as arbitrary as suddenly declaring yourself Canadian; a Psychologist giving an account of some experiences said "...and I'm going to tell you about my views on the subject—and for my real views, just think of the opposite."

So we make up our own rules, we declare things for ourselves that are really things that only others could say about us—and often what we like to think we think, is the opposite of what we really think deep down. How many times have you heard someone proudly say "I'd never do that," only to find your reaction is to knowingly say to yourself: Mmm, OK.

I don't think people are liars; I think we're contradictory. We're hypocrites—and there's nothing truer to being human. Embrace it.

So, I'm a conservative.

Tom & Nana: Cafe Culture

The difference between Ladies and Gentlemen.

The ambience.

The view.

The personal corner in a public place.

Away from our mad passion for the passage of time.

Tom & Nana: Steps

Steep isn't it. Fear loses to comfort, one step at a time.

They're the furniture of our outside.

Conveyor belts of humanity.

Escorting us from A to B. On and off.

From fear to comfort.

Tom & Nana: Dads and Kids

Little and large.

Dad's watching over you. It'll be OK.

Your Atlas. Your guide.

His arms around you.

He'll show you the World.

Tom & Nana's Monday Music

I found this group a long time ago; but their album "Cymande" (same name as the band) is one of those records I keep listening too. This song is called: The Message. Enjoy.

Tom & Nana: Mums and Daughters

Together we go.

Hand in hand for a lifetime.

Always there.

Always by your side.

Girl mother to the woman.

Tom & Nana: Kids

Swinging on a Spring afternoon—that's the life!

Thai girls skip in the sun.

Waiting for Mum and Dad.

Future girls on the town. Look out Tokyo!

Planning his next move...

Tom & Nana: Blue Scenes Tokyo

The morning shore. Our first trip together.

Muddled up bikes point forward.

Breakfast at Sujie's.

Blue Back Bridge.

Home time.

Tom & Nana: A Slice Of Life In Tokyo

Cramping ourselves into relaxing spots. That's the Tokyo way.

Pay phones on the street will seem like a such a strange invention to future people.

Nana made a series of photos called "Tokyo Motion." We'll make a link for the collection soon.

Taxis and Tokyo, like Bees in a Field.

I miss the warm days walking down streets like this; and I've never been happier to leave them behind too.

Tom's Notes—U.K. Election

"Hmm." This is what most British voters are thinking now.

Nick Clegg got the bare knuckles of the press these last few days; but something has hurt him more than the extra scrutiny—second thoughts. Are the public really comfortable with the reality of PM Clegg rather than the daydream. I don't think so, and to explain why I need to talk about Cola. Yes, Cola.

Virgin Cola.

Remember the taste?

Me neither. And if you wanted to remind yourself, the only place you can get a can is 35,000 ft. in the air aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight. There's a good reason why we don't remember the taste of Virgin Cola, and why just about the only place you'll find yourself drinking it is on a Virgin plane: it's a 3rd brand in a binary market. This is the danger Nick Clegg faces.

Forget taste, and sales, for a minute, and let's only think only about prima facie popularity: what I can remember is that Virgin Cola was wildly popular for a while—when it was first released. "Yeah, why not" we thought; there was a charismatic front-man, and his product wasn't embarrassing.

When the novelty wore off, we all took an extra thought about Virgin Cola. It took a conscious effort to buy it, and to convince yourself it tasted better than the number one brand; whereas Coke required none of that. Pepsi required some of that, but was long enough established to be the acceptable smug option. Virgin Cola wasn't different enough - palatably different enough - to get anything other than faddish attention. And we love hating on the fad (even if we partook!).

Nick Clegg, and the lib-Dems, find themselves on the first line of the above paragraph; and I can see them following it word for word through to the last line. Doesn't mean it has to happen, but chances are it will.

Cameron is Pepsi, Brown Coke—and we're in a late 80s/early 90s type moment, where voters new and old, so sick of Coke's dominance, may choose Pepsi instead (for a while). My advice to Nick Clegg would be "you have to be number two before you can be number one in this market."

Better to get going on that, because right now everyone is going "Hmm."

Tom & Nana: Trip To London

Coming out of this station, we walked past Tony Benn. He's a well-known Member of Parliament; but I didn't say hello.

ATMs are better in the bank—like they are in Japan.

A solitary coffee. We've all sat there.

I love this stocky little man doing his work. He should have been a fisherman.

I saw the Sex Shop; Nana saw the books.