Hunkabutta Archives
06.05.02

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Today's photos are from the Suga shrine matsuri (festival) last Sunday. These three all have a hidden similarity. Can you spot it?

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Make sure your computer's sound is turned on and check out this heavy Pokemon action.

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From one of Karen's expat mailing lists, the funny Christian quote of the day:

"I think as long as we accept Jesus Christ as our saviour, and lead a good life, and practice the golden rule, and try to follow the ten commandments, it doesn't matter what religion you are......"

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06.03.02

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Yesterday we had a great time at the annual festival of Suga Shrine, a typical Japanese matsuri celebration centered around the ritual carrying of portable Shinto shrines.

I'll tell you more about the Suga Shrine matsuri in a few days when I post some of the great pictures that I managed to take at the event.

In the meantime, I thought I'd give you a glimpse into some of the high-end boutiques that line the street in Shibuya's fashionable Aoyama district, not far from where I go to work every day.

All of today's pictures were shot from the sidewalk through the front door of the shops.

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06.01.02

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Japan is handling the World Cup in typical Japanese fashion -- focusing on the potential problems, getting paranoid, and then doing nothing about it.

All you hear about is talk of hooligans. The riot police have been training for months. Shops have been buying special insurance. It's difficult for people to get through customs at Narita.

I expect that there will be a lot of police violence against regular foreigners who are just being drunk and loud -- as most normal, non-Japanese, people behave when they're drunk. The police and service industry staff (e.g., waitresses) are scared and paranoid. For instance, the police are asking some bar managers to close their bars for the entire duration of the World Cup!

Korea on the other hand is really focusing on it's public (world) image. They're kind of competing with Japan -- trying to be the better host country.

When you get off the plane in Korea, there are pretty girls in traditional dress to greet you. They give you free samples of Korean liquor and a special World Cup memorial fan. The Korean authorities are organizing big parties for the foreigners. Basically, they're looking at it like a great public relations opportunity for Korea, which it is. The Japanese are looking at it like the World Cup is just here to entertain them, and they would be much happier if they didn't have to deal with all of these barbarous foreigners.

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05.30.02

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I'm wonderfully busy today -- it's a rush.

I had to babysit this morning so I didn't get into work until 2:30 p.m.

Karen spends two or three mornings a month teaching English to mentally and physically handicapped teenagers. She's great for the job.

Anyway, I've got all of my regular work stuff to do plus I have to get ready for tonight's NinJava meeting.

A nice guy named Kurt contacted me the other day. Turns out he has a site that is a lot like mine. His pictures are really 'butta.'

Why don't you check it out?

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Today's photos are from last weekend when we went to visit Makis and Mhairi in Yokohama to see their new baby Ioulia, born May 17th (Karen's birthday too!).
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