|
|
06.05.02
click to enlarge
Today's photos are from the Suga shrine matsuri (festival) last Sunday. These three all
have a hidden similarity. Can you spot it?
--------------------------------------
Make sure your computer's sound is turned
on and check out this heavy Pokemon action.
--------------------------------------
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......"
06.03.02
click to enlarge
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.
06.01.02
click to enlarge
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.
05.30.02
click to enlarge
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?
-----------------------------------
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!).
|
|
|
|
5 comments so far