【hmm…なアドバイス396. 水面エンターテイメント オン・ザ・プール】 you no longer have to worry if you weren’t born with the ability to walk on water. ‘water walkerz’ is a toy which gives anyone the ability to seemingly walk on water.引用元
Fast-growing bamboo seems to be the current material of choice for many green-thinking designs, so it was just a matter of time before someone came up with a bamboo bike frame. While I don't think the world's landfills are getting clogged up with steel bikes, most of the alloys used do contain some pretty nasty stuff like chromium and molybdenum.(引用元)
【hmm…なアドバイス】 もうすぐ『Shine A Light』が全国公開される。前売りチケットを買うと何か特典があるらしいのだが、今週もまた奔走しておりまして、まだ買えていない。なぜその話しが鉄道と関係があるか。ほとんどないのですが(笑)、映画の中で『All down the Line』という曲が歌われる。鉄にちなんだ曲で、“線路をくだってゆこうぜ”みたいな歌詞。
チャーミングな彼女のサイン入り!「サインを求められたのは始めて」とかおっしゃるので、これはかなり価値のありそな一生モノです。自転車に乗っていてよかった。 【hmm…なアドバイス142.“雨の日の傘”のやさしさーunder the weatherのバッグ】 きっかけはビジネスメディア誠に書いた『“under the weather”は、自転車メッセンジャーの自由の傘』。元バイクメッセンジャーでもあったAnaisさんが“under the weather” というブランドを作って、Toronto発でひとつひとつバッグを作っている。今日のような雨の日にも自転車に乗るメッセンジャーへのトリビュートが詰まったバッグ。
彼女へのインタビューメールの末尾にこう書いた。 I want a whacky patchy-lookin’ bag. Is the Flyaway Bag enough capacity for a Macbook? (ボクもツギハギのバッグがひとつ欲しいのだけど。Flyaway BagならMacBookが入るでしょうか?)
【hmm…なアドバイス】 さてunder the weatherの意味をおさらいしたい。 "I am feelin' under the weather today but have to go." (今日は具合悪いけど、行かなきゃならないんだ)そう“具合が悪い”という意味でした。具合が悪いときには傘をさそう。“傘”というやさしさがAnaisさんのブランドの気持ちです。
Hi, Ms.Anais Thanks for my lost weekender messenger bag! I love this! What a great design as I imagined. I will bring a book and sweats and sketchpad & bottle of wine, as well as my dream with this bag.
Thanks for the signature also. I think everyone who loves your messenger bags in Japan envies it. This is true.
I will make a plan of asking you to make messenger goods and propose to cooperate with sometime. See you then!
【hmm…なアドバイス137.モントリオールのパブリック・バイク・システム(PBS)】 The Public Bike System (PBS) was created to offer an attractive and easy-to-use option for those seeking urban transportation that has less impact on the environment than traditional fuel- powered vehicles, and to act as the perfect complement to public transportation networks. 引用元 Public Bike System
【こんなデザイン、どんな人が?】 これは凄いシステムだ。どんな人がデザインしたのか? デザイナーは世界的な工業デザイナーMichel Dallaireさん。30年以上にわたり工業デザインに従事し、数々の賞も受賞。パブリックデザインに強みがあり、街、道、通行システム、ストリートファニチュアなどユニークな作品が多い。モントリオールの“the University of Montreal Ecole de Design industriel”などでもデザインを教える。
今朝、メールボックスを開けると、under the weatherのAnaisさんからメールが飛んできている。先週のビジネスメディア誠のエッセイで書かせていただいた人。「記事を載せましたよ~♪」とメールを打ったのでその返信だろうと思ってあけると、こんなことが書いてあった。
記事、見た感じいいわね。でも私は日本語は読めないのよ。ネットの自動翻訳 をしてみたの。It's Greek to me(ワケがわからない)だったわ。
う~ん、そりゃそうですよね。機械訳じゃ、Lost in Translation on the Webですよね。何を隠そう、いえ隠しもしませんが、わたしは女性には滅法弱い。しかもAnaisさんのようなチャーミングな女性に溶けてしまふ。ついハイハイ、訳しますとメールしちゃいました(笑)。今日は人馬一体になる自転車グッズ3点と誠の記事の英訳のスペシャル版。今日のブログはAnaisさんにささげます。
【hmm・・・なアドバイス114.人馬一体の自転車グッズとunder the weather in English】 まずテンピュールの自転車用クッション。テンピュールとは枕やマットレスに使われ、押すとじわりと形ができて、離れるとだんだんと元にもどる、あれです。
When in downtowns in cities, we see bicycle messengers every day. They are good at riding unique and very light weight bicycles, and with wireless receivers and big messenger bags holding A3 paper flat in maximum.
In their bag there are parcels less than 3kg, which senders demands in one-day delivery. They, messengers, are of course couriers' servicer. But they look so lively and starts feverishly at crossings. As it seems they say "we are not mere curriers but love to ride." But when it is under the weather of rains and winds, we feel pathetic to their rides.
There is a messenger bag brand under the name of "under the weather” which claims popularity among messengers and general cyclists as its fashionable design. The name of "under the weather" in English also means "feeling bad." Like someone say, "I was feelin' under the weather last week" means feeling bad or sometimes "have no money." I interviewed with the designer of the messenger bag, Ms.Anais Fritzlan,(Toronto, Canada)
【Triggers of making messengers' bags】 Q.Why was it the messenger bag for the startup?
Anais Fritzlan(AF) I worked very briefly as a messenger starting in 2000; first for a few weeks in Toronto, then for a couple of months in New York City, then about six months in Amsterdam, where I had moved with my first/previous husband (a Dutch cycle messenger, not my husband now). I have always done a lot of sewing, and he was interested in designs for messenger bags so we worked out a design based on our experience of technical needs.I sewed a bag for him, and I made some other ones for myself, and then some for a few friends.
Q.The experience of the messenger works is helpful for the business, isn't it? AF Although being a messenger was fun, and I think it's an important and worthwhile job for those who love it, I wanted to do something different and decided to make messenger bags as a business because I really enjoyed it. I began Under The Weather in early 2000 and started selling bags at cycle messenger races like the ECMC and CMWC. I returned to Toronto in fall 2001 and my first husband and I split. I spent some time studying graphic design and then started running Under The Weather in Toronto in mid-2002.
【No same patterns or colors in her messenger bags】 The particular point of her bags is basically no same patterns or colors.No reproduce in art bags. There are wits in the design and the combination of colors is exquisite. The coloring patterns are unique not only in outside but in inside.
Q.About colors and designs, how do you have concepts and ideas?
AF I sew art graphics based on what people ask for, or ideas that I have from things I see around me. I love nature, flowers and trees etc., but also the urban landscape and technology and science. The most fun for me is making unique art on the bags.
She learned to sew from her mother when she was very young, and have always sewn things for myself (clothes, household items). Although she have taken a few courses on certain aspects of graphic design and typography a, most of her knowledge is from reading and from designing things herself.
Q What is the selling points of the bag?
AF Of course durability is extremely important, and every design element and material choice has been made with that in mind. In fact we recently changed our liner material to TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) because it is much stronger than PVC, and less harmful for the environment and people working with it.
"Every city has its own brand of messenger bags," says Mr.Seiya Minato, at "Depot" in Ichikawa, a distributor in Japan of under the weather. The essentials of the bags are settled by document sizes and delivery goods by the customers' request in every town.
【Why still sticking to "Hands-on business?】 When I asked her " why do you still stick to "hands-on business" ? and she said "Do not make me laugh to imagine that I have “fame”! But her own brand, under the weather has ardent supporters not only in North America but in Japan. There is no stocks of under the weather bags because thy are sold very quickly.
She does design,sawing by her own two hands. Some weeks they ship out 20 bags or less. Sam, her current husband, helps but basically only with her hands. She sells cycle pants and skirts which they order local small factories in Toronto. She likes to manage small business.
AF I do not like managing larger businesses or people and don't want a business doing that. I would rather make small quantities of goods that I can put a bit of myself into, than to manage a business telling other people how many things to make and only worrying about staffing and training and scheduling and bills all the time.
Q. I found out your names on CMWC entry lists,in 2005 and June of 2008. Why do you still entry the contests?
AF My husband and I register for the CMWC every year, even if we can't go. I don't race, and he only sometimes races, but we feel it's important to support the messenger community.
【Compensation of Freedom】 Why young people wants to be messengers? I think they feel free if they have bicycles they can work from today. Plus, they feel they are the supporters of bicycle culture.
However they feel the compensation of freedom is no small. They work as "part-time contractors". Average annual income is 20000 to 30000 dollars in Tokyo area, 10000-20000 dollars in local cities. They basically have no liability insurance and pay medical insurance and pension plan by themselves. They pay bicycles and its parts and puncture repair by themselves. This work situation is forever as long as they are part-timers.
However their work is so hard, there are lots of cyclists who go to CMWC by their own saving. Ms Aanis supports CMWC in Toronto 2008 for their entries.
【the Dream of Micro-business】 Q. What is your dream?
AF My dream is to spend my life making things that I love, and living in a relaxed way that is good to the environment and in harmony with the natural world. I believe it's important for people to support each other, and since the messenger community has given me tremendous support, I will continue to give it whatever support I am able.
Then, see the logo of under the weather. It symbolizes the supports when they are under the fierce weather. The cyclists and the designer of the items. One to one. They're helping each other for the freedom, and hope its sustainability. Ms. Anais supports their freedom by maximizing their individuality with the bag, every one is unique in the world.
“under the weather”は、自転車メッセンジャーの自由の傘 街の中を颯爽と駆け抜けていく自転車メッセンジャー。彼らがタスキ掛けで 背負っているメッセンジャーバッグ——その中でも人気があるのが “under the weather”だ。under the weatherを作っているアナイスさんは、 自らもメッセンジャーとして働いた経験がある。出荷は多くて週に20個、 人気が出ても手作りにこだわる理由とは? 続きはこちら。
Hi Ms. Anais. Thank you for the interview via e-mail with me.
The article on "Business Media Makoto (Makoto means "good faith" in Japanese) has been published today 22nd of May. I tried to write your comments straightforwardly. At the same time, I focused on the realities of bicycle messengers' working life and their needs of "umbrellas", aka, "under the weather."
I explained the word “under the weather” has several meanings such as “I was feelin' bad (under the weather) last week” or “drunken.” Your business logo means your supportive attitudes toward the messengers’ communities.
The interview I did not quote on the article was translated into Japanese. Thank you again for your cooperation.
以下はインタビュー全文です。The following is the whole interview with Ms. Anais.
【Triggers of making messengers' bags/メッセンジャーバッグをつくるきっかけ】
Q1.About your career,I hear your messenger experience drove you to the startup. Please tell us some background when you stated the business around 2000.
Q2. Why was it the messenger bag for the startup?
1&2: These two questions are connected, so I will answer them together. I worked very briefly as a messenger starting in 2000; first for a few weeks in Toronto, then for a couple of months in New York City, then about six months in Amsterdam, where I had moved with my first/previous husband (a Dutch cycle messenger, not my husband now). I have always done a lot of sewing, and he was interested in designs for messenger bags so we worked out a design based on our experience of technical needs and what was currently on the market (not nearly as many companies as now). I sewed a bag for him, and I made some other ones for myself, and then some for a few friends.
Although being a messenger was fun, and I think it's an important and worthwhile job for those who love it, I wanted to do something different and decided to make messenger bags as a business because I really enjoyed it. I began Under The Weather in early 2000 and started selling bags at cycle messenger races like the ECMC and CMWC.
I returned to Toronto in fall 2001 and my first husband and I split. I spent some time studying graphic design and then started running Under The Weather in Toronto in mid-2002.
Of course durability is extremely important, and every design element and material choice has been made with that in mind. In fact we recently changed our liner material to TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) because it is much stronger than PVC, and less harmful for the environment and people working with it. The sizes were based on international paper size standards (the Messential is sized to fit a full sheet of A3 paper flat) and some of the features (including floating liner construction and the large flap) were designed to maximize protection from the elements. The main strap is made to be very strong, and also comfortable and easy to use, while the smaller straps let you make the bag thin when it's empty, or hold it closed even when it is overflowing.
このくだりも誠に書きました。なお『Messential』はunder the weatherでもっとも大きいサイズのメッセンジャーバッグ。内側に書類や物品をフロートさせる仕組みがあり、大きなフラップで閉じます。メインのストラップの造りはとても丈夫で、セカンドストラップはモノが溢れ出ないための機能あり。プロ用です。
【About design and sewing bags/デザイン、モノづくりのこと】
Q4.About colors and designs, how do you have concepts and ideas?
For colours, we just put together what we think look good, and try to make many different combinations! Although many people just like black, I have always loved bright colours and love mixing them in unusual ways.
I sew art graphics based on what people ask for, or ideas that I have from things I see around me. I love nature, flowers and trees etc., but also the urban landscape and technology and science. The most fun for me is making unique art on the bags: I never reproduce artwork so every art bag is unique.
I learned to sew from my mother when I was very young, and have always sewn things for myself (clothes, household items), so learned it by practice. I have always enjoyed drawing as well, and design and typography and putting these together. Although I've taken a few courses on certain aspects of graphic design, most of my knowledge is from reading and from designing things myself.
Q6. How may average shipment weekly and how many back-orders currently for the bag?
The amount of work we do is variable. Some weeks we may ship out 20 bags, sometime we go a few weeks making only 5 bags. Usually we have about a 4-6 week wait for bag orders, though it can be faster or slower. Winter is a slow time for our business, summer and fall are usually the busiest.
Q7. I hear the company has only you and a few staff - your husband? - working for the production. Please tell us your staffing for the production.
That's right, it's just me and my husband (Sam)! A few times we have hired one person to do a little bit of piecework when we were too busy, and we had the Sit'n'Spin pants and Twizzle skirts made at a small factory here in Toronto, but otherwise it's just the two of us!
【Her thought on sticking "hands-on" business/"Hands-on"の根っこにあること】
Q8. Now you have international fame among cyclists, why do you still stick to "hands-on business" ?
It makes me laugh to imagine that I have “fame”! I still do “hands-on” business because it is all I want to do. I have this business because I love to make things with my hands and feel incredibly lucky that I can make a living this way.
I do not like managing larger businesses or people and don't want a business doing that. I would rather make small quantities of goods that I can put a bit of myself into, than to manage a business telling other people how many things to make and only worrying about staffing and training and scheduling and bills all the time.
Q9. How do you love Toronto? I have been there once many many years ago, and remember beautiful roads and many cyclists. It looks like that the city has a long history of messengers.
Toronto is a good city to be in. It has a lot of very interesting people and activities to enjoy. There are people of many different nationalities and cultures (which of course means lots of good food too!), but it is not too big, which I like. NYC was very exciting and I can see why so many people love it because it seems like you could do anything there, but it is too big and hectic for me, and too far from undeveloped nature. I grew up in a very small rural community and to me Toronto has just the right mix of big-city diversity and excitement, while being small enough to find a comfortable community and not feel lost, and you can get out of the city to the countryside in just an hour or two.
It is pretty good for cycling: it is clean and the roads are mostly in good repair, but it could be much better. In all of North America cycling is a challenge because it is not seen as a legitimate, adult form of transportation. It is seen as something that children do (like a bicycle is only a toy), students because they can't afford to own a car yet, and families for recreation, and maybe some “crazy” commuters and cycle messengers (even professional sport cycling does not get much attention here). But there are a lot of people on bikes in the summer in Toronto, and even quite a few who keep riding in the ice and snow all winter. The mayor likes to ride a bike, and the city is trying to build more bike lanes to help the situation, but it is difficult to teach some car drivers that bicycles have a right to be on the street.
でもトロントでは、夏にはたくさんの人が自転車に乗るし、雪が降る中でも乗る人だって少なくないの。市長からして自転車好きだから、自転車道をもっとつくろうという動きもある。でも自動車ドライバーに自転車が道路を走るのを認めさせるのはむつかしいわね」 I think there has always been a community of bicycle messengers here, even back in the beginning when it was only Western Union telegram delivery boys they had races and competitions. It has changed a lot over the years, and is still an evolving community, but I think hosting the CMWC brings it together a bit and gets people more engaged.
「自転車メッセンジャーのコミュニティはずっとあると思う。メッセンジャーといってもWestern Union telegram(電報会社)にだけいる頃から競技大会があったの。それから何年も経ってるけれど、コミュニティはあちこちにあるわ。CMWC(メッセンジャー世界選手権)をホストすると、もっとコミュの結束は堅くなるでしょう」
さてこの動画は7分もありますが、お時間のあるときに見てください。トロントのAlleycat Bike Race、とってもスリリング。Alleycatとは野良猫ですが、地球温暖化防止の呼びかけで開催されたようです。Anaisさんも支援しています。
Q10. I found your names on CMWC entry lists,in 2005 and June of 2008. Why do you still entry the contests?
My husband and I register for the CMWC every year, even if we can't go. I don't race, and he only sometimes races, but we feel it's important to support the messenger community, especially for an event like the CMWC which brings together messengers from around the world every year. It can be a difficult job a lot of the time, but the incredible sense of community is so special that I just have to support it. This year we are also helping in the organization of the CMWC in Toronto, which is very interesting. It is going to be a big and fun event this year and we hope many Japanese messengers will be here! I hope we can go to the CMWC in Tokyo next year.
【Dream and message / 夢とメッセージ】
Q11.What is your dream? on business, or in your social touches like donation and supports you're doing.
My dream is to spend my life making things that I love, and living in a relaxed way that is good to the environment and in harmony with the natural world. I believe it's important for people to support each other, and since the messenger community has given me tremendous support, I will continue to give it whatever support I am able.
この2つは誠で引用しましたので省略します。
Q12. In Japan, your bags are very popular, particularly design with colorful esprit. Please give some message to your Japanese fan.
I love our Japanese fans! I have always loved Japanese style, from Edo-era wood-block prints, and beautiful kimono, to new urban aesthetic and whacky street fashion. I have not had a chance to travel to Japan yet, but sincerely wish to visit, and would like to learn to speak some Japanese because I don't know any. Seiya Minato at Depot Cycle-Recycle has been very supportive helping us send bags to Japan. It is wonderful that Under The Weather is popular there, and I love making bags in all the fun colour combinations. Thank you for the opportunity!
日本の“under the weather”ファンを愛してます!というコメント。これもだいたい引用しました。彼女は江戸時代の版画や着物ファン。来年メッセンジャー世界大会が日本で開催されたら、来てくれるのでしょうか?(彼女は、飛行機に乗ることはエコじゃないので、あまり北米大陸から出ないそうですが)
【車内は快適そうだ】 小田急と千代田線の相互直通運転の歴史は古く1978年からだが、今回は専用車両のロマンスカーMSEの運行となる。ちなみにMSEとはパンフのどこを見ても見あたらなかったが(よくポカあるので、どっかにあるのかもしれない)、Multi Super Expressの略で「多彩な運行が可能な特急列車」という意味である。
貧乏だったわたしの学生旅行、「ユースホステル」でした。何それ?と言われると汗・・ですが、新英和中辞典には「徒歩や自転車旅行の青年男女の健全な旅行活動促進用の宿泊施設」とあります。2段ベッドと質素な施設で、安く泊まれる旅宿というイメージ。ところがオランダではそれも変わりつつある。 【hmm・・なアドバイス31.Stayokayでユースホステルも変わる!】 Stayokay is a chain of 30 hostels situated in some of the most beautiful places in the Netherlands. The hostels are housed in truly unique buildings and offer a wide variety of rooms. 引用元 http://www.stayokay.com/index.cfm? &lng=2&gclid=CLbFmbvoq5ECFQ42egodsiK3Xw 「ステイオーケー/Stayokayはオランダのもっとも美しい地に30のホステルを 展開しています。ユニークな建物とバラエティに富むお部屋を用意しております」
概観、これユース?というくらい立派。
07年7月に改装オープンしたアムステルダムの『Stayokay Amsterdam Zeeburg』 はロケーションがかなり良いだけでなく、そもそもは学校だったという建物を、デザイナーのEdward van Vliet氏がすごくモダンな内装に作り替えた。これってあの・・・貧乏を絵に描いたユースホステルなのか?
遅ればせながらであるが、iPodアクセサリーのNike Sport Armbandを購入した。それというのも冬の間は首からnanoをぶら下げてジョギングしていたが、ウェアが薄着になればブラブラして走りづらい。そう思っていたら、ちょうど処分価格(3200円)で売っていた(流通在庫らしい)。定価は4200円だからお得である。まだいくつか残っているらしい。
その3:iPod+アスリートテープの融合 Sport Kitと言えば、よくアスリートが貼っているテープがあるだろう。キネシオテーピングとかチタンテープと言われる品である。あのようなテープで装着できる「iPod 極小nano」があってもいい。そうすれば身体中どこにでもミュージック・プレイヤーを装着することができるので、勝手が良い。