Only in Japan
January 30, 2005
Only in Japan is it faster to take the stairs rather than escalators or elevators.
People rush to the escalators but once they’re on, they stop and let it take them all the way to the top. When a couple steps onto an escalator, they block up the whole thing and don’t let anyone else get past them. Elevators are too slow. While waiting for an elevator to come down, you could’ve walked up several floors already.
I’ll have to confess that being here so long, I’ve been doing this once in awhile too. Shit.
Happiness of delivery
January 26, 2005
The woman and I have been getting delivery more often lately. We’re sick of Domino’s pizza so lately we’ve been trying other cuisines. Our latest gourmet meal on wheels is a place called Fanders. The food was alright but a little pricey. Two katsu bentos cost 2300 yen damnit. It wasn’t bad but the restaurant in the covered shopping area downstairs sells the same shit for a lot less.
Here’s a scan of the box. Can someone translate this into English for me?
Perry Bible Fellowship
January 23, 2005
It’s not what you think. PBF is a wicked comic site. It’s so simple and so funny. It’s been awhile since an online comic has made me burst out laughing. The short films by the author are quite creative too.
Bruce? Is that you?
January 20, 2005
I mentioned it briefly in a comment here. Our Christmas Day run to Kobe was met with a billion people all pushing and shoving to see the Luminarie. One of these years we’ll go at a quiet time and be able to actually enjoy it instead of ending up crammed into some old man’s back.
Our detour through Chinatown found us some expensive, but well-cooked food and some shopping at one of those shitty Chinese souvenir stores. Outside said store was the worst Bruce Lee statue I’ve ever seen. Care and effort was put into making it I’m sure but the artist really got his face all wrong. It was just awful. Here’s the full shot.
Awaji-shima & Tokushima: Bridges
January 17, 2005
On the last two days of the year, the woman and I went on a little road trip. It was our first getaway in a few months and the first time we took the car out for more than a run to a restaurant or her house. Due to time limitations and end of year closures, my earlier idea to drive to Hiroshima was scrapped and we had to settle on a much closer, Awaji island.
Well, duh
January 13, 2005
2004 US Election results listed by average IQ.
Here in case this link ever gets broken.
Roald Dahl
January 11, 2005
I was perusing in the book store near work and discovered they had included actual English books in their English section. Previously, they had a bunch of books about learning English so you know none of them had any actual English in them. They did have some shitty manga that had been translated. I digress.
I found a book by my all-time favourite author, Roald Dahl. Not only had I found a book by him but it was a book that I had never read! The Umbrella Man is a compilation of short stories that was priced reasonably at 955 yen. I did not hesitate to pick it up. I don’t need to write how good this book is because every word written by this literary genius is amazingly wonderful. I’m halfway through it and it’s already replaced the book I was currently reading. His books were an essential part of my childhood.
By the age of 12, I was pretty sure I had found every book ever written by him (that was available in the elementary school library and three public libraries that I went to). I was aware of a few titles that I couldn’t find, such as the Revolting Rhymes and a book called something something Vicar. The point is, I thought I had a good idea of what he had written before his death in 1990.
Since one book’s been found, I’m sure there are plenty more stuff by him that I haven’t read. At his official site, there’s a big list of stuff I’ve never even heard of. I knew he had written some adult-oriented material (nothing gross but just not for kids). I think I’m going to have to start a Dahl collection in my bookcase. I’m pretty sure I still have about half a dozen of his books back in Vancouver somewhere.
New Year Tradition
January 06, 2005
Note: hover over the bolded kanji characters for English pronunciations
In Japan, ã?Šæ£æœˆ, the new year celebration is probably the most important time of the year. It dawned on me this year that I’ve spent 4 new year’s days in Japan already and have had a part in the food, holiday, and general light mood in everyone. In addition to this, I’ve went to the same temple with the woman’s family in true åˆ?è©£ fashion. åˆ?è©£ is the first visit to a temple in the new year to wish for luck for the rest of the year. The temple we’ve been to lies on the border of Osaka and Hyogo and it’s called, 妙見山. It’s about I would say a 1.5 hour drive from Osaka and it rests on top of a mountain. It has an excellent view but it’s usually too cloudy to see anything.
Japan Email
January 03, 2005
It’s been awhile since I’ve put anything new up in the other “gallery“. I’ve just lost artistic creativity or some other excuse. Anyway, I finally got off my ass and put something up that’s been sitting around for a long time. It’s a long read about Japan.
Happy New Year everyone!
It’s 2005
January 01, 2005
Happy New Year everyone!
We’re back from Awaji Island and we even went to Tokushima in Shikoku. Only 2 more main islands to go in this country.
