Help brighten up my in home and share your creativity in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan

Details

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  Description

  I'm CD. I'm a novelist, developer, and nomad living in Japan (partly but just as a tourist) . I'm originally from the West Coast of the US but lived in Hawaii longer than anywhere else. I've also lived in Morocco, Turkey, and here in Japan with long stays in Indonesia, England, and lots of travels in Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia (and a few in Africa - South America not yet!)
  
  I've bought two houses in Otaru - the one Workawayers will stay at is called Bao-House. That name comes from the fact that I created a spiritual philosophy called Baoism and everything I do touches on it in one way or another. Don't worry, it's not a cult and there is no conversion or anything like that. It's just three simple rules to live life by and you decide everything. I'm not guru.
  
  I am a guy with a couple of cool houses in Otaru that I want to do things with.
  
  Bao-House is where I want to focus my Workaway friends though. I need help sorting through the stuff there, taking care of the yard, shovelling snow in the winter, and setting it up for what I eventually want it to become - a 'Writer in Residence' property where those focused on creating the next revolution in books and storytelling can commune, vibe with Otaru, and the community here. I wrote the first novel co-written by human and AI back in 2021 and have developed several tools that are focused on AI, human collaboration, and long form fiction utilising technology.
  
  This is all a personal project, non-profit, I'm not charging anyone and workawayers won't be working for a business or doing work that someone else would be paid for.
  
  I would definitely be interested in getting help from people who have either managed, run, or organized Writers in Residence or Artist in Residence programs. This would involve help in planning, setting up systems, and when and if the program I want to build launches, assisting in that as well. None of this is replacement for local workers or contractors, I'm simply looking for people with experience to help me avoid the pain points they have face.
  
  Bao-House currently has some general tasks, cleaning, and yard needs. I'm also open to all kinds of artists and creatives. In particular, the previous owner left a lot of clothing and dishes - so I'm keen to host people who want to work with those to create art installations or pieces. Since I'm now officially a tourist and on a tourist visa, it's important that I engage in tourism and don't stay more than maximum of 180 days in Japan in any calendar year. This makes my schedule in Otaru, a bit limited. This is what we have to work with.
  
  My other house, is where I stay and won't have a workaway component but eventually I want the gardens in both places to become a permaculture wonderland. I need to not be a tourist to make that happen.
  
  The Manor is just a fifteen minute walk from Bao-House and also from the ropeway and ski lift at Tenguyama and a forty minute walk from Otaru with all its history, romance, and museums. Both houses are 50+ years old but mostly in pretty good shape although there are some things I would like to eventually improve on it.
  
  Workawayers will be staying in Bao House and will be asked to help with various things for a couple of hours each day. I'm hoping that those hours feel less like work and more like something fun - because that's generally how things feel to me.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Culture

  

  Gardening

  

  Blogging

  

  Art & design

  

  Books

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Music

  

  Plant care

  

  Photography

  

  Writing

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Camping

  

  Beach

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Winter sports

  

  Water sports

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Hiking

  

  Cycling

  

  Adventure sports
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I'm an old school couch surfer, digital nomad, and community organizer. I've traveled a fair amount of the world and written over thirty books. Most of them have to do with how to get by in the world as it becomes this place that seems impossible to get by in. I'm an American expat raised in California and Oregon but who spent the majority of my American life in Hawaii. Now I live in Japan. I've also lived in Turkey, Morocco, the UK, and Indonesia. I love the world.
  
  So - that's the kind of cultural exchange you can expect. We'll hang out, I'll show you around and introduce you to the people I know here, and though we will meet as strangers, I'm sure we will part as friends (and you can likely expect me to visit someday in your home country.)

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  Help

  Bao-House will have some yard and garden general tasks as well as helping to move some furniture. Stuff like that. People with general house skills will be welcome. I'm also open to all kinds of artists and creatives. In particular, the previous owner left a lot of clothing and dishes - so I'm keen to host people who want to work with those to create art installations or pieces. Artistic types are welcome because I'm also a creative and can't help but turn what I find into art that lives here.
  
  In terms of labor, some yard and labor, some tasks that knowledge of the trades would come in handy, some moving of furniture between the houses. Stuff like that. Definitely not looking to replace local workers. Possible looking for some permaculture design help and gardening if the season is right.
  
  There may be other things that come up while you are here but primarily that is all I am looking for - so other help will be up to you if it suits you.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Arabic: Intermediate
  French: Intermediate
  Indonesian: Beginner
  Japanese: Beginner
  Chinese (Mandarin): Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Primary: English (I've been an English teacher in four countries) Secondary: French and Arabic (not fluent but can get by) Interested and studying: Japanese, Chinese, Bhasa Indonesia, Turkish
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  Accommodation

  Two rooms with single beds. Lots of futons and a couple of other rooms. You'll bee staying in Bao House. You'll provide your own food and drink but I encourage potlucks and building community through cooking and eating together. Not required, but fun. There is a kitchen, bathtub, bathroom etc in Bao-House. It has electricity, plenty of blankets, and heat in the winter. There will be internet there.

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  What else ...

  There is wifi at the house and it is close to a bus stop as well. There is a convenience store just down the street that offers almost everything needed. Otaru is a cool place with a lot of interesting things to do. Sapporo is a short train ride away as are Niseko and other resort areas.
  
  I'm open to small families (parent and child or both parents and young child) but we will need to discuss details in terms of responsibilities since the parents will need to do a bit more because I'm not going to use child labor...as no one should, etc.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  I'm interested in broadening my own digital nomad lifestyle and work - so hopefully you are open to sharing ideas and possibly collabs. I'm also always keen for language exchanges though they aren't part of the work I need done, just something fun.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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