Joe's Twist Box Toy

The first time I saw this was about a year ago. Joe Hamamoto said he got the basket-weaving slinky part from his granddaughter. I don't know if anyone in particular designed it. It's too simple, that I doubt it can be traced to any one person. However, it was Joe's idea to do this out of giftwrapping paper and glue the ends to the insides of a masu box. This is the results.

POP Beta testing twist box die

I learned this collapsible model (designed by Akiko Yamanashi) from Boaz Shuval at WCOG in February of '05. I thought I"d invest $300 in an experiment, and have a die made of the crease pattern in the hopes that non-folders will be able to do this model. Even though they don't have to worry about putting in the crease lines, it's probably still a bit of challenge to put together and collapse for young kids.

I had a thousand sheets of cardstock scored with the crease pattern in time for the Aquarium of the Pacific's Autmn Festival. Joe, Yami, and I will be making our 5th year return (although I think I missed the last 2 years, personally), snubbing PCOC in San Francisco, same weekend (major OUSA Convention, like the one in NYC).

We just can't be everywhere, all at once.

Lame....

I just figured out that YouTube has disabled my primary account, "due to terms of violation" regarding copyright infringement. A couple of days ago I got two back to back notices regarding my video uploads of Chainey on Mr. Rogers:

Dear Member:

This is to notify you that we have removed or disabled access to the following material as a result of a third-party notification by Family Communications, Inc. claiming that this material is infringing:

Chainey Returns to Mr Rogers Neighborhood Pt I MOV04802: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfGDElz857M

Please Note: Repeat incidents of copyright infringement will result in the deletion of your account and all videos uploaded to that account. In order to prevent this from happening, please delete any videos to which you do not own the rights, and refrain from uploading additional videos that infringe on the copyrights of others. For more information about YouTube's copyright policy, please read the Copyright Tips guide.

If you elect to send us a counter notice, please go to our Help Center to access the instructions.

Please note that under Section 512(f) of the Copyright Act, any person who knowingly materially misrepresents that material or activity was removed or disabled by mistake or misidentification may be subject to liability.

Sincerely,
YouTube, Inc.

Given that there were 3 videos (with Chainey's second appearance in 2 parts), I didn't even think to head 'em off at the pass and disable the third video. I uploaded it so long ago, my mind wasn't thinking of preemption. So it seems 3 strikes and I'm out. Seems grossly unfair to have my account deleted in this manner. If I had subsequently uploaded more copyright infringing videos after their notice, then I'd say that qualifies as "repeat violation".

Ah well.....some 200 videos (origami, gymnastics, and others) that I have to consider whether or not it's worth the time to upload....

One blessing is that I don't have to receive all those comments blasting me for the WCOG video showing Phu Tran teaching it to members, but not being an instructional video of his rose. My God, if you people only knew what a headache that's been....

Japanese Gardens, Van Nuys

Yami, Joe, and I were invited once again to the Van Nuys Japanese Gardens for another Origami Festival; this time arranged by Sylvia Wong (Michael Fritzen, our old contact, has since departed).

Here are a couple of video clips of Yami and Joe in action toward the end of the festival:





Photos here.