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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 2d

I find myself in Japan and on an unintended Perfect Days tour. One of the toilets and the record shop (no cassettes!). The record shop owner thought that I was a famous painter and asked me to autograph his wall. I obliged.

A public toilet whose walls are made from opaque coloured glass.

The entrance to Flash Disc Ranch record shop.

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 5d

I think you're allowed to be all of those things in public. I have colleagues like that. They're nice.

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 5d

What is your actual 'normal'?

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 13d

Just learned that the guy on the right, Akira Terao, recorded Reflections, Japan's best-selling album of the Eighties. Second on the list was Thriller. A great reminder that stardom doesn't always cross borders.

Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 14d

If you have Netflix and want some comfort TV then Rikuoh is the most comforting of comfort TV

Is it cheesy? Yes it is. Will you feel a warm glow at the end of every episode? Yes you will.

It's a long time since I've watched a TV show that fills me with such joy. Let it wash over you.

The cast of Rikuoh lined up. In the middle is the leading actor, Koji Yakusho, who also played the lead in Wim Wenders' Perfect Days.

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 14d

Yes! It's very cheesy but also full of warmth. It's kind of like a Sunday evening BBC show but somehow better and with a really odd but surprisingly wonderful theme of 'slipper manufacturer decides to make a running shoe'.

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 14d

If you have Netflix and want some comfort TV then Rikuoh is the most comforting of comfort TV

Is it cheesy? Yes it is. Will you feel a warm glow at the end of every episode? Yes you will.

It's a long time since I've watched a TV show that fills me with such joy. Let it wash over you.

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 15d

I do!

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 23d

"The man, who called himself Rick, was barefoot and continued to claim that he was "Rock and Roll's spiritual guru," and all should kneel before him. When the police removed his red sunglasses he cowered, crying, "No! Not the light!!". Enquiries are ongoing."

Honolulu News, 22nd Sept, 2025

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 27d

Be reet. I think we're only doing one day in Kyoto anyway. We're mostly in Tokyo.

Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 27d

We've got areas we want to visit but not necessarily any particular attractions. I suppose we should book some sort of Kyoto shrine or castle. I'm more interested in the experience than the attractions.

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · 27d

Plan is to wander around the shops of Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto for two weeks!

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 9

You may notice I discreetly asked you when your birthday was a few days ago ;-)

Happy birthday!

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 3

Here's the article about these modern day heroes.

I walked/stormed out of a job once. It was a great feeling.

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 3

I do! Three releases this year!

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 3

There’s a great article in the Guardian about revenge quitting so here’s my song about just getting up from your desk and walking right out of that job you hate.

ballardpop.bandcamp.com/track/never-...

Never Went Back, by Ballard

from the album As One

ballardpop.bandcamp.com

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 2

Peter Kay is going to have an aneurysm when he sees this.

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 1

I love the crazy thinking going on.

"Oh shit, the president has died in office, consult the procedures."

"Says here we throw all his stuff out the window."

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Reposted by Darren Riley

Darren Hayman @darrenhayman.bsky.social · Sep 1

A painting of a metal zone guitar effects pedal. I like the light in this one. It’s a real challenge painting black objects.

But from darrenhaymanart.com

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 1

Did you serve him?

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 1

Thank you!

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 1

Been painting.

A painted version of Who's Next. *Slightly* reminiscent of Kyffin Williams.

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 1

When I painted this cover last week, it was my first hearing of the album. It's good innit?

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Sep 1

Phwooar!

Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Aug 31

Since I had my gallbladder out, a few years ago, a chippy tea can see me through to the next evening. If I have some at midday that's me sorted. Don't have to even think about eating for the rest of the day.

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Darren Riley @panchoballard.bsky.social · Aug 31

Currently up to 222 paintings.

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