Hokkaido, and "The Piano Man"

I have never been to Hokkaido. Other than Okinawa, it is the number one place where I would like to visit in Japan. (I know I have said this many times before, so many of you already know this. But I like to, tend to, repeat myself. Please forgive me!!)
One of the reasons why I want to go to Hokkaido, is that I love nature. But to be honest, I don't know so much about Hokkaido. And the other day, when I was surfing the net, I came across this article. It was interesting, and I learned something.


"Hokkaido: What do you think Nibutani will like 100 years from now?
In Nibutani, Hideka Subprefecture, Hokkaido, roughly 80 percent of residents are of Ainu descent." (From The Japan Times)
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fl20100928vf.html

On a side note, Billy Joel's "Piano Man" is playing on the radio right now. When I was a kid I used to listen to that song all the time on my Sony Walkman. It brings back memories and is a very nostalgic song for me.




Below are Butterflies. Just because.

Congratulations to the Phillies!!

Indeed it is time for a little celebration! Why?! Because the Philadelphia Phillies, my hometown baseball team, clinched the National League East Division...for the 4th consecutive year!! They have the best record in the National League and are assured home field-advantage throughout the playoffs! One of the reasons they are in the playoffs again, and favored to win it all, is that they made two great pitching acquisitions-one in the off-season, and one during the season in a trade. Another reason is that they have superb hitting.

I can't wait to watch them in the playoffs, and in the World Series again this year!!


Here is an article about this huge event in Philadelphia:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100928/sp_nm/us_baseball_phillies

Let's celebrate!!

Temperature change, and "The Best Kid"...

It was a rainy night last night...and coldish.

A cold is going around. One of the reasons for this cold, is that the temperature recently drastically dropped very suddenly. Dress appropriately, get a lot of sleep, intake a lot of vitamin C, and pray...then hopefully you won't get this cold!

The other day, Mr. M saw the movie "The Best Kid." Jackie Chan and Will Smith's kid star in this movie, which is like a remake of "The Karate Kid" (one of the greatest movies of my childhood!! One of the most famous lines from that movie is when the Sensei says "Wax on, wax off!!!")

Mr M said:

Before I saw the movie, I heard different opinions. Some people said "It wasn't as good as I expected it to be." At the same time, others said "It is a excellent film." So, this was one of the reasons I wanted to see the movie. I wanted to see for myself(=confirm it by myself), which was it; a good movie, or a bad movie.

And, I can't say "I absolutey recommend it. You really should go and see it!", but basically, I was glad that I saw it. I thought the theme of "the spirit of sports" or "the spirit of a warrior" was shown in this movie.

And my favorite line in the movie was:

「勝ち負けは考えるな。全力でいけ。」

I love this line, so much that I even want it to be engraved on my tombstone!

Later Mr. M sent me an email and wrote:

[And I thought about the above in English.
"Don't think to win or not. Do your best."
"Never think victory. Go with the full power."
"Don't think the results. Do it with all your energy."
Is there a right answer in above? ]

What do you think the right answer is? How would you translate this expression?

Below are photos from a hot spring...exactly the place I want to go!!

A short week

There are two national holidays this week; last Monday was "Respect for the Aged Day," and this Thursday is "Autumn Equinox Holiday."

So we have a short week, and before we know it, the weekend will be here again.
Speaking of the weekend, last weekend I saw "The Villain." As I said last week, a Japanese actress, Fukatsu Eri, won the Best Actress award(MOntreal Film Festival)for her performance. Overall, I liked the movie. But it is kinda dark, so I can't recommend it. Sorry.

Moving on the the next topic, did you know there was a big Game Show held in Tokyo last week?
If you didn't, check this out:
"Motion sensors, 3-D games grab limelight at Tokyo Game Show" (The Japan Times)

"What do you think of the new rash of motion-controlled video games?" (The Japan Times)
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fl20100921vf.html

I have never tried one of there types of video games. But, if I have the opportunity, I want to try. When I was a kid, I used to play video games. Usually I played with my brother, or with friends. I didn't really like playing games by myself, or versus the computer.
Did you play games when you were a kid? If yes, what kind of games did you play?
How about after you became an adult...did you continue to play games when you were an adult? If yes, what kind?
And, how are video games now different from when you were a child?

Below: In case you didn't know, I love ice cream, especially soft cream!!

e-money

Fortunately, t is getting cooler. Especially in the morning and evening, there is a nice breeze. And yesterday, there was a little rain shower in the afternoon which cooled things off a little. That was nice.

Now, on to today's topic. E-money.
Do you know what it is?
I believe it is when you use your cell phone like a credit card to pay for things. For example, in my case, if I went to a convenience store, like AM=PM which is just around the corner, I wouldn't have to bring my wallet. I could just bring my cell phone, and buy some stuff, and use my e-money account in my cell phone to pay for everything.
Please tell me if I am wrong.

Do you use e-money?

According to the below artcle, e-money seems to be catching on (=becoming popular) with many people who live in the cities.
I live in the suburbs, and work in the city, but I am one of the 70% who are not using e-money yet. If I don't get with it soon, I will be behind the time before I know it.
I know that Mt. K uses e-money, and he said the other day that it is quite useful.


"30% in metropolitan regions use e-money"
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nb20100908a5.html



Below is the Hiroshima Mascot who is very down these days because the Carp, unlike the great Hanshin Tigers, are already out of the pennant race. Go Tigers!!

Breaking News!!!

Kan wins DPJ(Democratic Party of Japan) leadership Election!!

That mean he is still the big dog in town!!

Fire

Yesterday, while I was riding my bicycle along Mukogawa River, suddenly I saw a big cloud of smoke...and a fire in the grass and trees next to the river! There were about 5 or 6 firefighters and one big fire truck. The firefighters were holding a big water hose and trying to put out the big blaze. But it was spreading quickly. Because it has not rained a whole lot this summer, the high grass and trees next are all really dry. This led to the fire spreading quickly I think. (=This was the reason I think the fire spread quickly.) Many people stopped and watched and the firefighters frantically tried to contain the fire. I asked a cycler "Do you know what happened?" He said to me "I think some kids were playing with fireworks, and then some grass caught on fire."
Fortunately, after about 30 minutes, the team of firefighters put the fire out. Here is the lesson I think we should all remember:
Be careful when we play with fireworks or do a barbecue in the park!!

Changing the subject, I heard that the below movie is pretty good, so I am going to see it soon.
"Fukatsu best actress at Montreal
'Akunin' role wins over judges; first Japanese female to take festival's top prize since 1983" (From The Japan Times)
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20100908a1.html


Below is Kanagawa Castle and some carp kites.

Typhoon #9

Yesterday Typhoon #9 hit Kyushu, and from this morning it is hitting the Kansai(Western) and Kinki(Eastern) areas of Japan. When I came to Honmachi this morning, it was just drizzling, and the trains were running smoothly. There weren't any delays. But, the skies are dark grey and we are in for a rainy and dreary day I think. But as Ms. e told me, "This rain will make the temperature cooler." She is exactly right. Plus, it hasn't rained in a while in Osaka, so I think the trees and grass and crops all need some rain. Anyway, be careful and don't forget your umbrella today!

To change the subject, last Sunday I went shopping at Yodobashi Camera. I was looking for a new computer and some other stuff. And when I left YC at around 3pm, there were tons of people outside. There were also many police officers. I couldn't imagine what had happened, but after a few minutes, I figured it out. Right in front of my eyes were Mr. Kan, the Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Ozawa, the other candidate in the race for Presidential Election for the Democratic Party of Japan. I listened to there "speech battle, " like a debate, and it was quite interesting. But, I don't like to talk about politics so much, so I will leave it at that.

For more, read here:
"Kan, Ozawa wage verbal war in Osaka
Candidates for DPJ leadership get personal" (From The Japan Times)
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20100906a1.html

Below is a not so happy looking dog, but it is a great shot!

Beer Garden, and Delta

On Saturday night I finally went to the Ramada Hotel's beer Garden. I had been wanting to go there for a while. It took me over a month to get a reservation. Here is my restaurant review:
1. I reserved sofa seats, which are an extra 1000yen per table, but it was worth it.
2. The view of the sunset from the top of the roof is absolutely exquisite!!!
3. The service is fine, but not great. Ms. Y told me that one waiter said to her "You have to use the same glass again." Are you kidding me!? If a waiter said that to me, he would get a knuckle sandwich!! :)
4. The food was average. Nothing really stood out, nothing was really bad.
5. The price was reasonable, especially if you like to drink alcohol because there is no time limit and it is all-you-can-drink for only 2000yen. Combined with food, the total is about 4000~5000yen per person I think.
6. The time spent there with friends was truly great! I hope to do it again next year!

Below is an unbelievable story about a Delta flight the other day.
Check it out!!
"A long time to hold it in — jet returns due to lavatory failure" (From the Japan Times)

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20100824a2.html

Photos below are courtesy of Ms. J and Ms. I in Canada.

The summer is over?

According to the calendar, it is already September. To be exact, September 3rd.
So that means, the the summer is over, and the fall has begun. Right?
Apparently not. Because the temperature is still over 35 degrees Celsius!!
The headline in the newspaper yesterday was: "Summer officially hottest on record."
And, I also read that it is the hottest summer since 1946!!

But, even though the temps are high, when it becomes September, I always feel like it is Fall. In America, the school year begins in September. And when school begins, then in my mind the Summer is officially OVER! Finished!! Ka-put!!
Because the school year begins every year in September after Labor Day Weekend in America, I connect the Fall with a feeling of "a new beginning." But before talking about all the good things I like about the Fall, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past summer.


"What was your summer highlight?" (from The Japan Times)
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fl20100824vf.html

I read the above article, in which some people from Sapporo, a city in Hokkaido, answered this question, a few weeks ago.
My answer: Without a doubt, my time in Ocean City with all of my family.

What is your answer?

Enjoy the weekend!

Below are Ms. Y's photos from her good memory at the Gion Festival in Kyoto.