what do you do while you bonsai?

[catfish chapstick]

i am using bonsai as a verb here and i was just curious:

what do you do while you work your trees?

do you drink alcohol? if so, what?

do you listen to music? what kind?

do you prefer to be alone? why or why not?

outside? inside? different things for different activities?

i want all the details.

 

[coppice]

Coffee, and cigarette when I smoked them. Coffee and electric cigarette now that I don't.

Outdoors tochis in a chair. Observers are optional, they tend to get lectured at if they stick around long. Outdoors only, I'm a slob its easier to sweep up the patio.

Morning ritual. Music? Only if you count my humming or song as musical. (or are tone-deaf too)

I'm gonna amend my usual practice this year and try and build a new bench.

 

[Paradox]

Drink of choice depends on the time of day and my mood. Morning is tea with milk. Late morning/early afternoon more tea or water. Evening is water, beer, wine or a mixed drink depending on my mood.

If its a nice day outside, and I'm pruning or wiring Ill work out on the deck, particularly if its a nice warm spring day. If its not a nice day Ill work inside on the coffee table with a bucket for the trimmings. If I'm preparing my training pots, its inside on the coffee table. Repotting is obviously outside on the potting bench.

If I'm outside, I usually have no music and just listen the the birds or the breeze in the trees and just commune with nature. My dogs will always be out there with me so I talk to them and throw a ball for the one that is always dropping it at my feet or in my trimmings bucket.

Inside, Ill watch TV while working.

The other person in the house normally doesn't watch me work, but might be watching the TV as I work with an occasional glance my way to check things out.

 

[dick benbow]

I like to listen to contemporary japanese artists (music)

My two favorites are chihiro onitsuka ( female singer song writer) on youtube type in her name and Arashi Ga Oka as a sample. there is a version that shows lyrics in english

and instrumentally on a japanese three string instrument, the yoshida brothers. They rock!
lots to select from on you tube.

 

[Fangorn]

If I'm by myself, 99% of the time I'll be outside. I can't stand working on trees indoors. It's partially because my eyes work better in daylight but mainly because it just feels better to me. Like paradox my dog will be by my feet and I'll have the Itouch playing random tunes (Pearl Jam to Shovels and Rope) on the outdoor speakers.
At home, drink of choice will be most likely be water. But when I do a workshop bringing a six of good beer is almost important as bringing my tools. Sitting around with good trees, people and a couple of beers is where it's at for me. If you're at Nick Lenz's it also helps to "Go for it" when he has some radical plan for a tree

 

[JudyB]

Music- different depending on mood. Usually jazz or something eclectic. (dick, I like the yoshida's too...) Dogs are a must! Tea usually, but that wine idea sounds good. Mostly outside, greenhouse if the weather is bad, or inside if it's super cold. Just me and my lonesome....

 

[crust]

Always music from KAXE Northern Community Radio radio station. Mostly odd ball hippie music.

 

[Dav4]

Always music from KAXE Northern Community Radio radio station. Mostly odd ball hippie music.

Why doesn't this surprise me?

If I'm hanging and working with bonsai friends, we'll usually have a couple of beers. If I'm by myself, I'm usually mission oriented, meaning I've got a limited amount of time to get things done, so no booze or music. Every once in a while, though, I've got a few hours to kill and no place to be later, so then it'll be a Sam Adams or two.

 

[october]

Guess I am different than most. I subscribe to the theory of John Naka. "When styling a tree, no talking, tree talking, you listen." I am usually by myself and it is quiet. Most of my styling time is contemplation. Usually contemplate for weeks, if not months, before I do something. Then when I actually sit down to do the work. I usually contemplate some more. Sometimes this can take a very long time. I usually contemplate longer througout the styling than the actual physical work. To me, it is the most intimate part of bonsai. Afterall, you could be creating an image for the tree that someone will appreciate a couple of centuries down the road.

Rob

 

[bumblebee]

Drink lots of water and sip on Grand Marnier.

Libby

 

[Poink88]

Listen to music.

I like listening to the piano guys on youtube ... most music will do (except rap)

I like company if available but don't have any problems being by myself for hours. I prefer doing work outside, unless it is too wet (raining) or too cold... then I may bring a tree in to work on in those cases. Normally, I work on my trees in their spot unless too sunny (TX heat can be too much), then I bring it to my work station under shade.

All my plants get visited daily but a couple will get most of my time (rotating) any given day.

 

[A Random User]

I really enjoy the peace and quite of bands such as Suicidal Tendencies...
It really helps out my Chi ...

 

[lordy]

If after work, I go for an adult beverage from somewhere in the northern British Isles.
Other than that, me and my dogs relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.