Rolling out the changes

As I mentioned the other day, storm from the east is going through something of a major change.

Part of that change is obviously going to affect the site and this (for those who notice the new layout) is the first part of that change. I hope not too many posts and articles end up looking weird.

All will be revealed soon.

Site renewal and new direction

storm from the east is on a short hiatus while I get a project I've been working on for some time underway.

It marks a major change to the website and a change of direction in my life, which I hope to unveil either towards the end of February or early in March.

I'm really excited about it and I hope you'll enjoy sharing the steps along the way.

More news soon and thanks for your support.

 

- Richard

Girrasol Building wins MIPIM AR Future Project Awards

A distinctive residential block formed by unevenly cascading levels situated on a sloping topography in São Paulo, has been named the Overall Winner in the 10 annual MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project Awards.

bomi ボーミ: iYo-Yo

I can't really put my finger on why I like this, but I do.

Tax luxuries, not necessities in Japan. And those stupid bags.

The current Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda (correct at the time of writing), aims to increase consumption tax, which of course has politicians and others positively foaming at the mouth. 'How can the average man or woman in the street afford to smoke, drink and buy Louis Vuitton bags if tax is raised across the board?' they implore. And they're right. I'm also against a tax raise across the board, but I'm all for a tax raise on certain things. It's idiotic to double the tax on potatoes, carrots and children's clothes. People need to eat and kids need to wear clothes - I'm not talking about dressing little Taro in Gucci and Prada, I'm talking about normal clothes that growing kids get through faster than Japan gets through prime ministers.

'Can I go home yet?'

I'm the first to admit that I'm not really up to date with the political and economic system back in my native UK, but I believe that VAT - our equivalent of consumption tax - is not charged on basic foodstuffs and clothes for children. There is, however, a crapload of tax added on to things people could probably do without, like super-long, melt in the lung cigarettes.

So here's my first proposal to Prime Minister Noda (I hear he's an avid reader of this site): scrap tax on basic foodstuffs like fresh fruit and vegetables and treble it on things like chocolate, cakes and doughnuts. People could then eat well and you might see some tubbies shedding a few pounds.

Here's my second proposal: if you really want to encourage people to have more babies in Japan, scrap tax on baby products, children's clothing and books for kids. Completely. You can then quadruple the tax on cigarettes, booze, luxury items and those odd little man-bags you see gents of a certain age carting around. That way you would not only be helping out struggling parents, but also contributing to reducing the high incidence of cancer in the country.

If you think raising tax on cigarettes to 20% will mean tobacco companies will close and loads of people will lose their jobs, it won't. Cigarettes are ridiculously cheap in Japan - well below half the price of cigarettes in the UK - and the companies supplying the UK are still going strong.

Instead of punishing everybody by simply raising tax everywhere, do it responsibly and logically. It would be a very refreshing change.

You're welcome.

Glow in the dark stickers by Gecko

I absolutely love these new glow in the dark wall stickers and decals designed by Leo Conrado.

They're the perfect thing to brighten your night and you can choose from ten designs available from Gecko.

Screw it, let's do it

Sir Richard Branson, my namesake and a man I greatly admire

Some people are only too willing to tell you you can't do something or your ideas are stupid. All too often, we listen and scrap a perfectly good idea.

Why? Are we really sure that we can't do it, or are we listening to people who are sure that they can't do it? There's a huge difference.