-
"Complaint Choir" in Tokyo
In a new "complaints choir" trend that is taking place worldwide, Tokyo residents sing about their frustration with unwanted hair, pension plans and life in general. A lot of it is human nature, though some of it is uniquely Japanese ("Don't grill kusaya-a really stinky fish-in the apartment next door"). While bitching and moaning is common in ( Read more... ) -
Stuff to be thankful for
For the year 2009, part of what Time Magazine refers to as "The Decade From Hell":- I'm employed in a full-time (not contract) job with benefits, in an awesome company, and the bosses seem to like me.
- I have a much nicer roof over my head than I deserve.
- I have only one debt (a few more payments left on the car) and money saved up.
- My family and pets ( Read more... )
-
About the whole Obama bowing before the Emperor thing...
I'm first curious to hear how the Japanese people accepted or didn't accept the incident. Were they scandalized, or did they find it charming how we goofy Americans were up to our usual antics, blundering through Japanese culture like the big water buffaloes we are?
My general thoughts on the matter:- Get a life, people. Quit sniping on Obama at ( Read more... )
-
Because I'm an idiot
I keep trying to help out, foster cats because every rescue agency has no space. But I'm in over my head now ( Read more... ) -
Movie Review: Astro Boy
Carol and I went to see Astro Boy on Tuesday after work. The cineplex, located in an upscale downtown mall, was almost entirely deserted, and the mall patrons were sparse. It's creepy to see things so quiet. We had the theater entirely to ourselves during the previews, and then a woman brought in her five-year-old son in just before the film was ( Read more... ) -
The granny flat's back in business
Earlier this week, I got a call from the cat coordinator at our rescue group. A couple of sisters (as in nuns) were looking for a home for three cats that belonged to a dying woman. I had just placed Stanley, a gorgeous Himalayan, with an elderly couple last weekend (Stanley's previous owner had passed away), so the granny flat was open for fosters ( Read more... ) -
The More Things Change...
The more they stay the same. The latest Time article describes the chikan (groper) problem on the Tokyo subways. Despite the addition of "women only" cars in 2001, not much has changed. Some males are jerks. You're best off barricading yourself against a solid wall or door and using your bag as interference to areas you can't see (I've never been ( Read more... ) -
People behaving stupidly
That's it. I'm going to offer my big fat opinion on the Gates vs. Crowley case.
I will preface this with the statement that I know what racism is. I've experienced it plenty in the nine years I spent in Japan. I had real estate agents physically push me out of their offices because they didn't want to deal with gaijin. I was run out of restaurants ( Read more... ) -
Revenge Song Gone Good
I think this song is awesome.
The story behind it is that the band caught the baggage handlers manhandling baggage, particularly some guitar-case-shaped baggage. Their complaints to the flight attendants went ignored and later, when they found their equipment had been damaged, United Airlines failed to honor their claim. This song was the result ( Read more... ) -
Spider Season
Over on her blog, Jane posted a link to this journal and all my spider stories. Which reminded me of the latest assaults on my tender sensibilities. The first encounter for the year with a GIANT HONKING INKBLOT OF DOOM was in my pantry at three in the morning. Why I was up at three in the morning doesn't factor in, but hopefully my shriek didn't ( Read more... )
Click to view