Politics

That is the topic for today. Are you interested in Politics? I am, a little. Even if you are not interested in politics, you can't get away from it. In Japan, politics are everywhere, on tv, in the newspaper, every day. And this is the question of the week:
Should Democratic Party of Japan kingpin Ichiro Ozawa stay or go?
Read here for various answers to this question:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fl20100126vf.html

What is your opinion?

Below are some photos from my friend who is now in Vanvouver. It looks like a nice place.

Okinawa

Do you know the name of the fish, or is it an animal, or a mammal, below?
These photos are from Ms. T.

She went to Okinawa over the New Year's vacation with her family and said, except for the weather (it was cloudy), everything was magnificent.

Personally, her photos bring back great memories of my travels to Okinawa...ahhh, I can't wait to go to Okinawa again!

About current news, there isn't so much big economic or political news to report, so that is good.
As we say, "No news is Good news!"

So, today I will touch on sports a little. First, the Mongolian Yokozuna (Grand Champion)Asashoryu got off to a good start and won the first Sumo Tournament of the year last Sunday. However, Asa's day was spoiled and many fans were left with a bad taste in their mouth because on the last day of the tournament, which actually meant nothing because Asa had already wrapped up the tournament, he was defeated by his rival, the other Mongolian Sumo wrestler Hakuho. Nothing ever goes smoothly for Asa. I feel bad for him sometimes...

And, to change the subject, less than a month away is the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. I know one industry which is gonna reap benefits from this mega event. The TV manufacturing and sales industry!

First, did you know that in 2011 all TVs in Japan will become digital? This means that everyone with only analog tv will have to buy a new digital one or get a special antenna. Also, history tells us that there is a trend before big events like the World Cup or Olympics. The trend is people tend to buy new bigger and better TVs before these events so they can watch them in comfort of their living rooms.

Refer to this article, "Sports-filled 2010 looks to be a big year for TV sales," for more details.

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201001240181.html

Personally, if I can, I want to wait a little while longer, til the beginning of next year or maybe the summer of 2011, before I buy a new 50-something incher. But actually, the sound on my TV is recently a little strange...so I may have to get one sooner than I hope to, if it breaks...but, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Ebisu

On January 10th, I went to a shrine near Namba for the Ebisu festival, a festival for prosperity or business. I go every year and like it a lot, but this time was the first time in a while I went there at night. I forgot how crowded it is there at night.

It was packed. But I found my way to the alter(praying area) and threw some money in the area and prayed. After I prayed, I bought a good luck ornament, which I also buy every year. Some years I buy a big one, and some years I buy a small one. It depends on my mood. And my wallet. This year a bought a medium-sized one. The following is the dialogue when I bought it at the outside stall.

Me: What do you have for XXX yen?

Old woman clerk: We have this, and also this.

Me: How about for XXXX yen?

Old woman: Ah, well...we have this one.

Me: Anything else?

Then, she asked Old Man(=the boss), "What else do we have at XXXX yen?"

Old man: We got this one. It is special. It is usually more expensive, it is made of special wood (blah, blah, blah) but I will give it to you for XXXX yen.

Me: Ummm. Actually I prefer one with a "rake thing"...but, Ok. I'll take it.

Then, when the old man was putting it in a bag and writing my receipt,

the Old woman said to him: Give him a discount. Only 500yen discount...

Old man: (looking at the woman like she was crazy...he whispered) NO.

CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!



Then, I changed my mind!

Me: No, I changed my mind. I don't want that one. I want this one, with the "rake-thing"

That's all folks.

p.s. I have a question. There is a picture of the Ebisu God on the can/bottle of Yebisu beer, so why does the beer Yebisu begin with a "Y" and not an "E" like the speeling of the festival?

Spring-like

Yesterday, in the afternoon, it was like spring. However, when I woke up and went outside, I was surprised and thought　"Ah~, it's cold! It's not warm at all! The weather forecast was wrong again!!!" But, to my surprise, later in the day it quickly warmed up. And, just as the weather forecast predicted, the high temperature reached about 17 degrees Celcius. It was nice, to be honest I hope winter returns quickly. Because I am worried about the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect. In January, too much hot weather, too early, is definitely not good for the environment.

To change the subject, this week there was some big financial news. I am sure everyone heard about JAL. I know many people who have miles, or mileage, with JAL. They were worried that they would lose their miles. But fortunately, JAL will honor the miles. That means, the miles will not disappear and people can use the miles. That is good news!!

And the following is a question I want to pose to all of you:
"What are your hopes for Japan in 2010?"
Read below for the opinions of some folks living in Japan.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fl20100119vf.html

Below are the photos from my annual End-of-the-Year Party with Ms. H and Ms. N. This year we did sushi. Unfortunately, it was a little short because of time(this was my fault), but they were kind enough to wait for me finish here, and we could eat delicious sushi and drink good beer and talk about and laugh about many things. It was fun! Thanks girls!!

January 17, 1995- 5:46AM

What were you doing at this time?
What were you doing when the enormous earthquake hit Kobe?

I was in Ithaca, New York, at Cornell University. Since there is a 14 hour time difference bewteen New York and Osaka, (New York is 14 hours behind Osaka=Osaka is 14 hours ahead of New York) it was actually January 16th, at 3:46pm. I was probably studying or watching a football game on tv. That was one year before I came to Japan. I came to Japan in July 1996.

Many people have told me there experiences on that day. And I have read many articles and seen many tv programs about it. And now, I live in the same area where the earthquake hit.
Many many people died...It was truly terrible...
Today is the memorial of that day, 15 years later.

And just the other day, another huge earthquake hit Haiti...

I wish everyone peace health and happiness...

I need a blow fish!!

That's right! I love blow fish!! Di you know that? The best blowfish I have ever gotten was a few year ago. Mr. and Mrs. K came to my house a prepared a full-course blow fish meal for me. That was the best blow fish I had ever eaten until then, and probaly will be the best blow fish I will ever eat in my whole life. I doubt I will ever eat such delicous and juicy blow fish again. And, now-the winter, is blowfish season. Do you have any plans to eat blowfish this winter? Or did you already eat it? If you can recommend a good blowfish restaurant, pleae let me know!

I have lived in the Kansai area for quite a while now...about 14 years. So I am obviously biased and of course prefer the Kansai area to the Kanto area. How about you? Which do you prefer? And what do you think are some of the differences between the Kansai and Kanto areas?
Read here for some opinions:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20091229vf.html

Shiro, thanks for the pics below. The blowfish really looks delicious!!

Vancouver

How was your 3-day weekend? Do anything exciting?

After going to a Shrine which I go to every year around this time, I ate yaki-niku, grilled beef, on Sunday night. It was good!! Sushi and yaki-niku are my two favorite Japanese foods. And, because the next day, Monday, was a national holiday, I could eat a lot fo garlic and not worry about smelling bad the next day. That was lucky!

Please read the following to hear about some people's resolutions. They are simple, but good for your study! "What are your New year's resolutions?"
Click here: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100105vf.html

Last year, 4 friends of mine went to Canada to study English. One person went to Montreal. The other three people went to Vancouver. All of the people told me that both cities are very international and easy for Japanese people to live. The guy in Montreal told me that speaking French is a must there. I studied french for 4 years when I was in University.
Bonjour! Bonsoir!! BO-RA-GI-NOIRE!!! ;)
Do you get it?

Anyway, back to Canada. In about a month or so, the Winter Olympics will begin in Vancouver. Those guys and gals living in Vancouver are really lucky I think...because they can watch and experience all of the events and festivities live. I will have to settle for watching everything on my tv. Speaking of my tv. recently the sound is not so good...actually it is broken I think. So, I will have to buy a new one soon. What kind of tv do you recommend?

Enjoy the week!

(Below are pictures from my friends in Vancouver)

2010

Hey everyone. How was your winter vacation?

I took it easy and had a really good time. I did the following:

On the night of the 26th, to start off the vacation, I went out with a friend for a great dinner and drinks. We talked about many serious things as well as joked around. We went to Happy Hour, then to an Italien restaurant for dinner, then for drinks at an Irish bar. 3 Places! I can't remember the last time I went to 3 places in one night. I had a blast. Then, when we had no more gas left in the tank because we are both semi-old men, combined with the fact that we both had to wake up early the next day, we called it a night, and I took the last train home and passed out on my futon. My friend took a taxi home, because he is rich.

On the 27th, I met another friend, bright and early at 9:30am. We spent the whole day together, until about 4pm. We planned to also go to dinner but my friend's baby son got sick, so he had to go home to take care of his kid. That was a shame, but in general it was a very fun and lucky day.

On the 28th, I did BIG CLEANING. I cleaned my house and the classroom and then departed on the bullet train from Shin-Osaka bound for Kyushu at around 6pm. I ate a bento-box dinner, had two beers, finished one book, and started another book. It was a smooth and relaxing trip.

In Kyushu, I bought a 6-speed bicycle, went cycling for about 2~3 hours every day, and also went to a hot springs for about 3 hours a day. I ate good food and drank good shochu and talked to good people. The only negative thing that happened on the trip was...I hurt my back again. This time wasn't as serious as last year's disaster, so I think I am lucky. But, I have to be careful...

During the vacation I thought about making some resolutions. But in the end, I deicided to pass this year. Instead, I decided to strive for a bigger goal. 2010 will be a very challenging and difficult year, in many aspects I think. It will be an uphill battle. So like the picture of the rock-climbing wall below, it will be important to take slow and careful steps, one step, one peg, at a time. My goal of 2010 is to do my best and try to laugh through the difficult and challenging times. Laughing, being able to laugh, will be very important in 2010, the year of the Tiger.
(If you made any resolutions, please let me know!)

Hope everyone has a good 3-day weekend!