Artist and Community Leader
Upon viewing a piece of Tadashi Hayakawa's art I always have the feeling that something important, something central, is lurking just off the canvas. There is an earthy quality to all of his work, a gritty mixture of sand, 
water and the mess of life. But it is also familiar, something you feel you could have created yourself - had you continued painting with the same carefree vision of your youth.
Don't take that as a slight on his work. It isn't. As Tadashi said to me: "Imagination is more important than technique. The art has to express you." Who among us, with all of our responsibilities and pre-conceived notions of the world, expresses ourselves with the freedom we did as a child?
We Are The Crowd
Cultural change can be an incredible thing to witness and examine. This is especially so when the change is something you've been involved in, up close, 
and felt personally.
In 1974 as a young teenager living in Cincinnati I watched the World Cup at the Cincinnati Gardens. The games were shown on a movie screen on the basketball court with curtains draped all around. My mother managed to win a set of tickets from a local radio station and I got the thrill of my young lifetime.
The Netherlands were incredible during the tournament, smashing Argentina and Brazil on their way to the final against West Germany. I remember they looked to be the better side in the final, as well. But Neeskens and Cruyff couldn't get the better of Beckenbauer and Sepp Maier. The West Germans were playing at home in Munich and they took the crown 2 - 1.
It seemed odd to be at the Gardens with all of those foreign voices. I was a clear minority in my own backyard.
Excuse Me, When Were You Ever Right?
They are so up in arms these days, aren't they? Our country is going to hell - literally, if you ask them. "Turrurists" are on the doorstep. 
The gays are cropping up all over the place, infesting us, making us unholy. And - GOD help us! - the fucking fascists and socialists are in office and marching right down Main Street, trying to steal your apple pie. You don't have to believe me. Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity: they know it. They're the watch dogs for everything anti-American and they say it's so.
Turn on the tele and you'll get a big spoonful about how it ain't right that America ain't "right", know what I mean? But, and I'm scratching my head here, have you ever asked yourself what the "right" has ever done that was actually right? No, I'm serious. Sit down and think about it.
Take a look around and let me know if there is anything I can do for you.