I've been studying off and on for the Level 1 JLPT since September. I bought books, made flashcards, wrote a script to make flashcards, took practice tests, and joined a study group. Despite it all, I fear I won't make it ( Read more... )

I saw 'Satantango' several weeks back. I expected to be a little bored with it, but I liked it as much as ever.

This weekend I saw the Up Series through '28 Up.' Now I've seen eight of the ten films on Ebert's all time best list. Somehow I managed to see 'Gates of Heaven' (the movie that made Werner Herzog eat his shoe) but neither 'Raging Bull ( Read more... )

I saw 'Big Fan' yesterday and enjoyed it.  Unexpectedly (to me), the writer/director was on hand to answer questions afterward.  Also unexpectedly, he's a former Onion editor.

Satantango is showing at MoMA in October, and I can't wait.

The best part is that I'm not just refreshed but happier as well.  Maybe I will make a weekly habit of this.

Thursday

• Took a break during my morning foot commute to finish reading 'Touch.'
• Had my program demo-ed to the people who contracted it.  No big problems.
• Saw 'You Only Live Once,' which tired me despite being directed by Fritz Lang.
   

Friday

• Was let out early from work for the holiday.
• Walked to Book-Off (40 blocks) and bought volumes of 'Katsu' (same ( Read more... )

I worked from home today because my employer was moving to a new office.  I enjoyed it and could imagine doing it one day a week.

I've been listening to Japanese-language news podcasts for a few weeks, but only today did it dawn on me that "Kitachousen" does not refer to a train line.

Happy 58th birthday to Adati Mituru.  Late last month he also joined the club of repeat winners of Shougakukan Manga Award winners.  Other repeat winners include Tezuka Osamu, Isinomori Shoutarou, Urasawa Naoki, Takahasi Rumiko, and Fujio Fujiko ( Read more... )

It was a good experience.  I'm certain I failed, but respectably (say 50-60%).   I was also evidently the only non-Japanese in attendance.

This is an old video, but I just found it.  Some guy took images of 32 female characters from recent anime and used some sort of face-mapping software to morph their faces together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMQjOA6M59E