The Wild Boar Vandalizer

This is Mr. H's true story:

"The other day a wild boar broke through my metal fence, and dug up my pansies and tried to eat the roots of some of the trees as well as maybe some bugs. My wife found a pansu(below photo) about 20 or 30 meters from the house. Maybe the wild boar kicked it. Anyway, the story gets even worse. When I fixed the fence, I cut my hand in three different places. And I also re-injured my elbow. (Like Mr. F, he has a bad case of "golf-elbow"). I hate that wild boar!! And from April, I wil retire so I will have a lot of time then. If that boar comes back, I am gonna get him and smack him with my golf club!!!!"

If the police catch that vandalizer, the boar, and you were selected to be on the jury, what sentence would you give the boar? Life in prison with no probabtion, 5-10 years in prison with probation, or just a slap on the wrist and let the boar off lightly...You should think about it, because when the new jury system begins in Japan in a few months, you should prepare yourself.

Barcelona

My folks went to Barcelona last month. It was their first time to go to Europe together in a long long time. My mother send me some of the pics from the trip and she said this one was my father's favorite shot. They titled the photo "Everyday life Barcelona."
I like the pic too...because I think all of the clothes haning out, drying, is cool. For your information, in America, you can not do that because people think it is bad manners or impolite or inappropriate or an eye sore...but I don't have a problem with it, and as many of you know, everyone in Japan does it too.

Home-made dinner

Because of the "T sisters," I began this week on a very good note.
Ms. T and her sister went out of their way and invited Ms. S and I to dinner at their house. Ms. T and her sister(her nickname is "The Ape." I don't know why "The Ape" is her nickname, but I think it is related to the fact that her Chinese calendar sign is a Monkey). Anyway, the T sisters just bought a new condominium in the city. It was really gorgeous! And you could even see the Osaka(Kyocera) Dome from the bedroom window! The living room is all glass windows, so the view at night, all the neon and building lights, is really spectacular!!! Combined with some classical music, of Frank Sinatra music in the background, it is Perfect!
They live on about the 30th floor of a new hig-rise, so I was worried because I am afraid of heights...but it was no problem. Even though the room is really high, I didn't feel scared at all. It was my first time is such a high room in a high condo, so it was pretty cool. And to make the evening even more special, the T sisters prepared a beautiful and delicious dinner!!! Chicken, penne pasta with tomato sauce, and french bread, and broccoli, and coffee and home-made cheese-cake dessert, and wine, and beer...I was flabergasted!! Speechless! At a loss for words!! Everything, and most of all their hospitality and consideration, was Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
While we all ate, we talked a lot, and joked around a little, and had a really good time. It was a lot of laughs, and good times! Thanks a lot T sisters, it was great!!!

TGIF!!! (Thank god its Friday!!)

Hope ya'll have a good weekend!

Hudson River Plane photos...

My friend sent me these photos. He lives on the other side of the river(not the New York City part), in Jersey City. Many people gathered around to take photos when the plane was removed from the river...

Speaking of many people gathering...I read that about 2.4 million people went to watch Obama's Inauguration ceremony live. That's a lot of people. But I think that the 20th was a Tuesday, a regular day, not a Holiday. So, I wonder...did everyone take a day off, play hookie from work, or play hookie from school?

There is a new Top Dog in Town.

Yes, President Obama!
The 44th President Inauguration of the United States of America!!!
Read all about the hits and misses of the speech here!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_pl220

New York

Did you see the news about the miraculous landing of the airplane in the Hudson River in New York. The plane hit a flock of birds right after take off. And three minutes later, landed in the hudson river. The pilot made some quick and correct decisions, and thus could save many peoples lives. More than some of the "heros" we see in the news every day, I think that he is a true hero.

Read more about it here:
http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Bird-strike-caused-Hudson-crash-536567099.html

"The best job in the world"

Do you want to have the best job in the world? If yes, then all you have to do is search for "Best job in the world-Queensland" on the net, find the article/link, then polish up your resume, send it, and apply.

The description of the job, "an island caretaker" is really a job?! And the salary isn't too bad either!!! I really hope you read the article above!!! It's unbelievable!

Australia, is a great country. The New Year's and Christmas pictures below from are nice, but they don't give you a full taste of really how great Australia, and Aussies, and Victoria Bitter (VB) Beer, and ALL THE NATURE are!!! You really DO have to go there and see it, feel it, with your own eyes!!

The Dentist (in Algeria)

I got another email from my friend Shige in Algeria. He said he had a problem with a filling in one of his teeth...and then he went to the dentist with a translator. It was his first time to the dentist in Algeria. He told me he was scared, and said "I will pay any amount of money, PLEASE just give me the best medical treatment Alegeria has to offer and PLEASE fix my tooth!" And he also said, the two dentists(in the picture below) had never seen a metal filling beforenad THEY were surprised. But, they kindly spent over and hour so working on his teeth and fixed everything for him. Now he has a ceramic filling, and he says life is grand.

Medical treatment in a foreign country can be scary...But it can also be a good, eye-opening experience.

What does 2009 hold in store for Japan?

What do you think will happen in Japan, to Japan, in 2009?
How about my home country, the United States of America???

Do you have any interesting or off-the-wall predictions?
This is an article about what some people think is in store for Japan in 2009...
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090106vf.html

My opinion is that...recently I have learned that it is not wise of me to make predictions. Because, unfortunately, usually my predictions aren't correct. So at this time, I will refrain from making any bold, or not so bold, predictions, please forgive me.

But if you have any bold, or not so bold, predictions, about what is in store for Japan, or YOU, in 2009, I am all ears!!

(Below are some shots from a recent trip to England a student took)

Winter BBQ

How was your three-day weekend? Yesterday, the 12th, was "Adult Day," a national holiday in Japan. This means that all the kids who are 20 officially become adults. They have ceremonies and celebrations and many guys and girls wear kimonos or suits and get dressed up. Also, because 20 is the lega drinking age in Japan, many kids also drink (for the first time?) and some can't handle their liquor, so some get a little too drunk and misbehave, or even worse, pass out or get sick. Anyway, to all those kids, welcome to adulthood!!! Adulthood is just wonderful...

To change the subject, I got this photo from a friend in Australia. She is staying in a room-share, and on the balcony, they have a barbecue grill. That is fantastic! One of the great things about the States and Australia is that a lot of people barbecue. Some people even bbq in the winter! I know that it is hard to believe, but it is true. I can't wait to have another bbq...actually, I just remembered! I think I still have some charcoal left from last season!! :)

Oh yeah, it's a little late, but what the heck. What are your New year's resolutions for 2009? Did you make any? If you did, did you already break any? Or are you still keeping them?

I made a few New Year's resolutions, and, so far, so good. I have kept them all. For example, I made a resolution to walk 1 hour every day. And I made a reservation to read the newspaper for at least 45 minutes every day. And one more, but I forgot it! :)

How about you?

"What are your New Year's resolutions for 2009?"

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20081230vf.html

What happened when the bubble burst?

It is important to learn from the past. About 15 or so years ago there was a financial bubble in Japan. From what I hear, a lot of people lived the high life! Making and spending all sorts of money. But then the bubble burst, and all of us know what happened after that.



This is an interesting article, and very applicable to the situation around the world financially today.

Lessons from when the bubble burst:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090106i1.html

Driving with "Boat-man"

Do you like driving? I don't. The only vehicle which I like to drive is a boat! I am a great boat driver. Just call me "The Captain"! But in all honesty, I do not like driving cars. And cars, and gasoline is pretty expensive. So for a cheap guy like me, that is not a cost I wanna pay. Do you have a car? If you did, would you let a friend borrow your car if they asked you? (Maybe Mr. F who has a nice Merces Bentz, would say a big "NO WAY!! DREAM ON IT!!")



The below article is about a car sharing system in Tokyo. Considering the economy now, and also the environment, it doesn't sound like such a bad idea.



"Car sharing catching on as an alternative:

"http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090106f1.html





Ah~~~, but I really should get a driver's license some time soon so I can rent a car when I go on vacation...Annoying!!!

The Year of the Cow with "Cattle-man"

This is the year of the cow according to the Chinese Calendar. So like a cow, I plan to walk slowly, but not quickly, step by step, with a firm footing on the ground. Moo~~~.

I got this photo taken of me when I was in Kuroshima last year. What a great memory! Kuroshima Island is famous for for black cattle that are used for the delicious beef. That island literally has nothing but cattle farms, and one nice little snorkeling spot. I really hope I have the opportunity to go back there one day!

What is your Chinese calendar sign? Mine is...................Tiger!! Are you surprised? Or do you think a Toger fits me?

To change the topic, I have a question. Do you like TV? In Japan there is a well-known television talk show host. His name is Mino Monta. In a very candid interview, he talks about politics, retirement, and his liking for a drink. If you are interested, it's a good article, please check it out:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090104x1.html

Ponzu

That's the name of this little puppy! Her father calls her "Pon" for short. I like some little dogs, and this is one of them. Can you tell what kind of dog she is? She is a Jack Russel Terrier. And she is super special because she brought a lot of happiness to a home! I know a lot of people with dogs, and this is almost always the case. To be honest, now, I really want a dog! It is my small dream...

Words for the day: If the experts say that 2009 is going to be a really really bad year, then probably 2009 won't be so bad (=the experts didn't predict the present financial crisis, and also, the epxerts are usually wrong)

The New Year Photos from Algeria!

What a beautiful sunset! And the photo of the mosque is pretty cool!

Thanks Mr. Shige!

Today is a little chilly, but still not that cold for January I think.

Hustle-Hustle and Happy New Year!!

I can't write much about the vacation because as I said last year, this blog is ONLY for good news!! The good news of my vacation was I relaxed and ate good food. The bad news was a caught a cold, and then, to make things better, I got a hernia. I remembered very quickly what pain and misery feels like... So, the theme for 2009 is Health!!! I really hope everyone has a very very healthy year!!

Words for the day: Sometimes, it is important to hustle, but it is more important to pace yourself I think...