tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-11-21:/Intermittent stories about life in JapanMokoFeed2009-11-21T11:57:08+01:00tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-09-30:/2009/09/30/ex-nova-boss-kidnapped-by-yakuza-7066455/silentjim2009-09-30T05:00:17+02:002009-09-30T05:00:17+02:00 <p>Exciting developments in the life of Monkey Bridge (ex-Nova boss and now convicted criminal)...apparently while waiting for his appeal to start he's been staying in a hotel in Tokyo.<br> Well some members of the Yamaguchi Yakuza clan (based in Kobe/Osaka - actually the boss lives just up the road from me apparently) found out where he was and held him hostage yesterday for 3 hours! Not sure why they let him go, but they were arrested immediately after.</p> <p>There were always rumours amongst the staff and teachers at Nova that he was "connected" (some of the Nova investment money was mob money), but they were just rumours....hmm...maybe some-one wants their money back and it's not just students and teachers!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/ex-nova-boss-kidnapped-by-yakuza-7066455/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-09-12:/2009/09/12/are-you-sure-that-s-juice-6946386/silentjim2009-09-12T07:29:48+02:002009-09-12T07:29:48+02:00 <p>I had my yearly medical checkup last month and suffice to say the results came back and weren't too good. I'm fat according to the Japanese medical profession.<br> "<strong>METABO</strong>" it said in big letters (it's what they call Metabolic Syndrome).<br> (Although the criteria they use to define Metabo is a lot stricter than in England and the US, there I'd be alright...(well, I like to believe that anyway).</p> <p>A girl at work had just done a 3day "Fasting" diet she called it, but basically you only drink vegetable juice for 3 days, with no food. Guaranteed to lose weight.</p> <p>So I thought I'd give that a go...<br> First day was fine, hungry obviously, but no big problems. I was drinking the vegetable juice from the supermarket and it was all very pleasant.<br> Day two, Aki offered to make one of the "official" diet juice recipes (lots of cabbage, spinach, half a banana and soy milk).</p> <p>Unfortunately we don't have a juicer...only a mixer...so after some straining through a sieve we got...<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/juice_or_soup/3886206" title="Juice or Soup?"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/206/3886206_3b0d1ca24b_s.jpeg" alt="Juice or Soup?"></a> </p> <p>Is that juice? Or soup?</p> <p>Truth be told, despite the unusual (rough) texture, it actually didn't taste that bad (I put some ice cubes in it to water it down a bit).</p> <p>The third day I went back to the vegetable juice from a bottle, but after having a two day headache and absolutely no strength anymore, I crumbled and gave up on the third (and last day)!<br> Tucked in to some good old tomato soup and toast that evening! </p> <p>I managed to lose nearly 3 kilo though!<br> Now in the process of putting it all back on <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/09/12/are-you-sure-that-s-juice-6946386/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-09-12:/2009/09/12/i-m-feeling-grad-all-over-6946331/silentjim2009-09-12T07:12:17+02:002009-09-12T07:12:17+02:00 <p>I was walking through Umeda in Osaka yesterday after work when I spotted this shop and had to take a photo of it...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/grad_all_over/3886184" title="Grad All Over"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/184/3886184_629ed9359d_s.jpeg" alt="Grad All Over"></a></p> <p>Now it's very easy to make fun of some of the bad English that you see and hear everyday in Japan (especially on T-shirts and signs) (see <a href="http://www.engrish.com/">Engrish.com</a> for some fantastic examples) and, well, sometimes I do.</p> <p>But lets face it, anyone who's heard my bad Japanese or seen the blank expressions on waitresses faces when I try to order something and they can't understand my accent, knows I have no right to make fun...</p> <p>But what really baffles me is why nobody checks the English in a dictionary or something?<br> I mean, you decide to build a shop, think of a name, pay someone probably a lot of money to put a big sign on your shop window...wouldn't it make sense to just check an English dictionary before? Just to be sure?<br> Just type it into google at least and see what comes out?</p> <p>There was an advert in a beauty magazine I saw last month for some new makeup, and in big letters above the pretty girls face was <strong>"Palty!!"</strong><br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/09/12/i-m-feeling-grad-all-over-6946331/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-08-28:/2009/08/28/ex-nova-boss-gets-jail-time-6838680/silentjim2009-08-28T07:12:57+02:002009-08-28T07:12:57+02:00 <p>Just a quick one this time, but wanted to post some happy news...<br> Monkey Bridge (my old boss at Nova - the head honcho embezzler) has finally been sentenced to 3 and a half years in Jail! yay! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><br> I thought he'd get away with it, but the Japanese justice system didn't let me down!</p> <p>His defence are obviously appealing (not to me they're not!) but fingers crossed it's turned down.</p> <p>Lots of happy ex-nova teachers at the moment! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/08/28/ex-nova-boss-gets-jail-time-6838680/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-07-25:/2009/07/25/scf-at-the-urban-guild-kyoto-6583209/silentjim2009-07-25T05:30:39+02:002009-07-25T05:30:39+02:00 <p>A few weeks ago we went to see a friend of ours "perform" in his multimedia-electronica art performance duo "<a href="http://www.myspace.com/scfund">S.C.F.</a>" (Click the link for their Myspace page if you want to have a listen - it's not for everyones tastes, but I likes it - honestly Andy!).</p> <p> The nights show was called "Exorcisms" and there were about 6 performances mainly dancers, all portraying in some way (some obvious, some not so) this theme.</p> <p> What was this multimedia-electronica experience like I hear you ask...<br> Well:</p> <p><a title="SCF at the Urban Guild Kyoto" href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/scf_at_the_urban_guild_kyoto/3719395"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/395/3719395_f9f93ce1a9_s.jpeg" alt="SCF at the Urban Guild Kyoto"></a></p> <p> SCF who basically stayed at the back of the hall twiddling nobs and pressing buttons to make a wall of noise while a dancer dressed in a paper dress..."danced"...on stage with a video montage playing on the wall behind her. </p> <p><a title="SCF Dancer" href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/scf_dancer/3719396"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/396/3719396_c176acd623_s.jpeg" alt="SCF Dancer"></a></p> <p> The dancing was pretty unconvential but very watchable and the "music" reached a hypnotising level which made the whole experience fascinating (a little bit like watching a train wreck, but I mean that in a good way). <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> If you get a chance to be in Kyoto and this kind of thing is your bag (Radiohead and Japanese Noise fans might dig it) then I recommend checking them out. They have a blog here (<a href="http://spasticchildrensfund.blogspot.com/">SCF Blog</a>) which has some videos of their performances.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/07/25/scf-at-the-urban-guild-kyoto-6583209/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-07-04:/2009/07/04/gaijins-being-electronically-tagged-6445393/silentjim2009-07-04T03:07:40+02:002009-07-04T03:08:32+02:00 <p>In some other news that has not yet reached my English language paper is that the Japanese government has passed (or in the process of passing, not sure) a bill that will put an IC chip in the gaijin cards that every foreigner living here has to carry.<br> These <strong>Alien Registration Cards</strong> are basically a form of identity and police can (and do) stop foreigners and demand to see it.</p> <p>It's never happened to me, but I've heard from other people about it.</p> <p>I personally have no problems carrying one, it's used to sign up for libraries, driving licenses, and other official things, so pretty useful. </p> <p>But not entirely sure why they want to track my movements.<br> I remember about a year ago this idea was first mooted, and the chip would record when I went into libraries, government buildings and other official places.<br> The question is:<br> a) Why do they want to know when I go in these places?<br> b) Why don't they want to know when, say, my wife, who's Japanese, goes in there?</p> <p>There's also the potential that the system could be expanded to train stations, busses, cinemas, shopping malls, or anywhere.</p> <p>Foreigners get blamed for a lot of crime in Japan unfortunately, - mind you the same thing happens in Britain, so that's not a criticism of the Japanese particularly - but usually you only tag criminals <em>after</em> they've been found guilty.</p> <p>Having said all that, like I said before, nothing has been written recenty in my English language paper about it, so don't really know any details, so for all I know it may be perfectly harmless.</p> <p>But it's like the fingerprinting of all foreigners (or <strong>Aliens</strong>, as we are called here - something I find particularly unpleasant) at the airports as you come in to the country.</p> <p>As soon as you land in Japan you're made to feel unwelcome and a potential criminal.</p> <p>I would like to <em>emphasise</em> that this is <em>"official"</em> Japan - i.e. government policy, etc. </p> <p>Individual Japanese are 99% of the time <strong>incredibly friendly, welcoming and very polite and helpful to foreigners.<br> </strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/07/04/gaijins-being-electronically-tagged-6445393/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-07-04:/2009/07/04/nova-crimelord-monkey-bridge-in-the-dock-6445372/silentjim2009-07-04T02:50:42+02:002009-07-04T02:50:42+02:00 <p>Finally, after about 18months since Nova (the English conversation school in Japan) collapsed due to, shall we say, mis-management of funds, the arch villain of the piece, Monkey Bridge (Nozomu Sahashi) is on trial for <em>"Professional embezzlement involving misuse of the reserve funds og an employees' mutual aid organization"</em>.<br> Which is basically a convoluted way of saying, he stole employees wages and rent from one company (Nova) and put the money in his own company.</p> <p>When the trial started apparently he apologised to staff and teachers (many of whom had to leave Japan and go back to their home country, some of whose only experience of Japan is working for 2 months for no wages while eating cup noodles every day, before calling home for financial help for a flight home), and said he'd <strong>done nothing wrong</strong>.</p> <p>Now the prosectors are after <strong>5 years jail time</strong>, he's changed his tune a bit and is now saying he's <em>fully responsible and will try to pay back the money</em>.</p> <p>He's also claiming that it was all one of his sub-ordinates ideas (to steal the cash) and he (Monkey Bridge) always intended to pay it back.</p> <p>The ruling is expected at the end of August, and I'm hoping for a little jail time for the man. (Not that I hold a grudge at all <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> )</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/07/04/nova-crimelord-monkey-bridge-in-the-dock-6445372/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-06-14:/2009/06/14/shinkansen-to-tokyo-6299309/silentjim2009-06-14T07:51:17+02:002009-06-14T07:52:42+02:00 <p>The other week I had to go to Tokyo for a business trip, which meant I had to take the early bullet train (shinkansen), and get up at the ungodly hour of 4:30am!</p> <p>I wrote this on the train on that morning:<br> 「<br> Waiting for the 6:32 am bullet train to Tokyo. I'm surprised at how many trains there are to Tokyo and West at this time of the morning.<br> About every 8 minutes a train sees to depart like a normal rush hour but 2 hours early (I guess all the salarymen need to be in Tokyo for the 9 o'clock meeting start time).</p> <p>As the Nozomi train pulls in with its absurdly long sloping nose it arrives like something literally from the future. Perfectly smooth and sleek like a white tube with port-holes.</p> <p>It pulls in and you're just greeted with white sides of the train (perfectly proportioned so you can see none of the engines from where you're standing on the platform), the door slides open and you step in.</p> <p>The inside is deceptively spacious. More leg room than a Business Class flight, with wide aisles (seats are 2 and then 3 across) and wide enough seasts for maybe even a Sumo wrestler.</p> <p>But the most impressive aspect has to be the smooth, quiet engine. Almost imperceptible, just the relaxing click of the train tracks which soon vanishes as you leave the station area.</p> <p>Quieter than a car and as smooth as a monorail. Lovely.</p> <p>And the best thing...about 2 and a half hours later, it pulls in to Tokyo station at exactly the time stated on the ticket. Not a minute early or late.<br> 」</p> <p>Well, all I can say is, my prose is a lot more flowery at 6:30 am.</p> <p>I wasn't able to get a picture of the train, but did take this shot of my bento (boxed meal) I had on the way back. Tasted quite nice too.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bento_on_the_bullet_train/3594833" title="Bento on the Bullet Train"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/833/3594833_f984ef6c14_s.jpeg" alt="Bento on the Bullet Train"></a></p> <p>oh, and in case you've ever wondered what a Japanese Business Hotel room looks like (a businesss hotel is a cheap, no frills, tiny hotel room for travelling salarymen - but a good cheap alternative for tourists too!)<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/japanese_businees_hotel/3594835" title="Japanese businees hotel"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/835/3594835_ea41825318_s.jpeg" alt="Japanese businees hotel"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/06/14/shinkansen-to-tokyo-6299309/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-05-18:/2009/05/18/swine-flu-in-kobe-6132736/silentjim2009-05-18T02:09:26+02:002009-05-18T02:09:26+02:00 <p>Panic seems to have set in in Hyogo, as 8 High school students were diagnosed with Swine Flu over the weekend.<br> They're from a school just 2 train stops away (between us and Kobe), and so schools and museums in our city have been closed. </p> <p>One of the funny things about the Japanese is that although they are very careful and cautious in business and other social interactions (a big complaint from Western companies doing business with Japanese is how long and laborious the process is as everything is checked, re-checked and re-discussed over and over again), however at other times, such as a new diet or a potential flu outbreak, there's a sense of panic and overreaction.</p> <p>(The new diet, in case you were wondering is the banana diet that was a hit here for about a week - some tv programme said if you eat a banana in the morning and a glass of water you will lose weight - bananas nationwide seemed to sell out straightaway. For about a week, till people lost interest and looked for the next new thing). Same thing with the natto diet last year. </p> <p>Anyway, I digress...</p> <p>It's not uncommon to see people wearing masks on any normal day, people wear them if they have a cold, if someone they know has a cold, or if someone near them <em>might</em> have a cold. Or of course if they have hayfever.<br> However, chemists near us have sold out of masks as everyone rushes to buy them.<br> We stopped off at the local supermarket on the way home last night to find all the staff wearing them.</p> <p>Having said that I was surprised when commuting this morning, expecting the only person not wearing the mask to be me, but only about 60% of people had them on. This might increase as the week progresses (perhaps as new stocks of masks are shipped in from elsewhere <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"> )</p> <p>I sneezed a couple of times on the train this morning, but to be honest was a bit disappointed by the reaction.<br> Maybe it was just too crowded for people to slowly inch away from me.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/05/18/swine-flu-in-kobe-6132736/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-05-10:/2009/05/10/usj-and-et-6089525/silentjim2009-05-10T05:57:48+02:002009-05-10T06:03:07+02:00 <p>We were shocked to discover that Universal Studios Japan were closing down the ET ride in May after 20 or so years! Guess he was finally going home (ahem)</p> <p>Well we had to check it out one more time - mainly for the bit near the end when he says your name (you have to tell it to an assistant at the beginning of the ride, who stores it in some barcodey card thing).</p> <p>I wanted him to say "Terry Swails" - a character from <a href="http://www.tv.com/a-bit-of-fry-and-laurie/show/12013/summary.html">A Bit of Fry and Laurie</a> - although I've just found out he also does weather on the internet at <a href="http://www.terryswails.com/">TerrySwails.com</a>. Neat. Anyway, back to USJ...so I said "Terry Swails" to the Japanese girl at the counter, but the poor girl had no idea what I was saying so we ended up with "Te---reee".</p> <p>Which was nice to hear EeeeeTeeee say.</p> <p>The weather wasn't too good so the park was fairly empty, just 15minutes queue time for Spiderman and the Hollywood Dream roller coaster (where you get to listen to The Beatles as you roller coaster along), but everyone was also saying goodbye to ET so that queue was about an hour.</p> <p>No idea what they're going to replace it with but hope it's as much fun as the Munchkin Merry-Go-Round in the Land of Oz<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/the_munchkin_merry_go_round/3491597" title="The Munchkin Merry Go Round"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/597/3491597_02a11f7496_m.jpeg" alt="The Munchkin Merry Go Round" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/05/10/usj-and-et-6089525/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-05-06:/2009/05/06/ashiya-festival-and-some-wine-tasting-6067219/silentjim2009-05-06T08:32:09+02:002009-05-06T08:32:09+02:00 <p>We're heading into festival season now and it kicked off for us with the yearly Ashiya festival. </p> <p>Unfortunately the weather was against us this year and it poured down on the Saturday so we held off going until the Sunday, when thankfully the weather had improved a bit. </p> <p>Although it does have a musical stage by the river, with bands playing throughout the day including a surprisingly large amount of Country and Western groups, Ashiya festival is essentially about wandering around the food, drink and charity stalls, eating, drinking and discovering hidden gems amongst all the junk like the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0281618/">Attack on the Queen</a> DVD (Japanese title) I picked up for a bargain 100Yen! Well, actually after watching it maybe it was a little overpriced but you live and learn.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/ashiya_festval/3479719" title="Ashiya Festval"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/719/3479719_b013f523eb_s.jpeg" alt="Ashiya Festval" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>As usual there were a couple of wine stalls, so I tried some which were pretty nice but we'd just come from a wine tasting so I was pretty wined out by then.</p> <p>Also met our local celebrity baker (Mr Bigot, french guy who makes great bread - he was the one twisting my arm to drink more wine actually), and also took a picture of the city mayor. He looked like a nice enough chap.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/ashiya_city_mayor/3479734" title="Ashiya City Mayor"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/734/3479734_06889de300_s.jpeg" alt="Ashiya City Mayor" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Didn't stay too long as it was a "school night" and I had work the next day.</p> <p>-------------------------------------------------------</p> <p>But now, the wine tasting. Our first ever and a lot of fun it was too. We tried about 20 wines for just ￥2000 and had some cheese too. Check out <a href="http://www.moippai.com/blog/2009/04/my-first-wine-tasting/">my wine blog</a> for more info. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/05/06/ashiya-festival-and-some-wine-tasting-6067219/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-04-29:/2009/04/29/swine-flu-precautions-6026727/silentjim2009-04-29T03:48:07+02:002009-04-29T03:48:07+02:00 <p>With the swine flu pandemic spreading round the world it's interesting to see different peoples precautionary measures from around the world.<br> I found this wonderful quote in the Daily Yomiuri (English language newspaper in Japan) today...</p> <blockquote><p>"Death is everyone's destiny but this will be my last pig blood pudding for a while until the flu warning is over." said truck driver Nguyen Huu Luong, as he finished a bright red <em>bowl of fresh pig blood and herbs</em> in downtown Hanoi.</p></blockquote> <p>A wise man.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/04/29/swine-flu-precautions-6026727/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-04-21:/2009/04/21/kayaking-and-a-bit-of-raw-meat-5979648/silentjim2009-04-21T05:34:15+02:002009-04-21T05:34:15+02:00 <p>Just last weekend we finally got around to trying out the kayaking down at Ashiya Marina. For those that don't know, Ashiya is on the sea and although it's not like a beachy resort type of place (as there are a lot of factories around), it does have a couple of beaches, although swimming in the sea is not recommended.</p> <p>Down at the Marina they have subsidised canoeing and yachting, so you can rent a kayak for 1hour for about 2quid (350Yen), which is a pretty good deal.</p> <p>I had canoed when I was a teenager, but never in a kayak, and it was Aki's first time, so just a little bit nervous. Especially seeing as it was out in the sea bay.<br> After a quick lesson on how to paddle we were told to pick a kayak and take it to the edge of the water. </p> <p>Not realising there was any other option I got in and appeared to have picked the Japanese, lady size canoe. I could jam one leg in, the other was sticking out painfully. This did my balance a world of good and after a minute or so of me desperately trying to keep my balance and not go under, while an old guy was shouting "Put your legs in", and me shouting back "Muri!" (impossible), I scrambled back to the shore and managed to prise myself out of the miniatue canoe.</p> <p>They very kindly then helped me find a gaijin sized boat, and off I went again. This time, perfectly balanced and kayaking like a pro (not a pro kayaker mind, maybe a pro wrestler, or a professional computer programmer, something like that).</p> <p>There then followed a very pleasant 90 minutes paddling about in the sea. We're planning on doing it again, maybe a couple of times a month. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>---------------</p> <p>As part of the Japanese governments plan to boost economy in the on going financial crisis, everyone in Japan (including foreign residents, which is nice) are being given 12000Yen each to spend. Well, like about 60odd percent of Japanese people (according to a survey in the paper), we spent one half of the cash on a slap up meal at a yakiniku (bbq) restaurant!<br> And marvellous it was too.<br> I even tried some raw beef mixed with raw egg...<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/raw_beef_and_egg/3431885" title="Raw beef and egg"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/885/3431885_e5a585df20_s.jpg" alt="Raw beef and egg" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>looks nice huh? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"><br> Actually I only had a tiny spoonful, I wasn't that brave, although it did taste quite nice, but only in small amounts I think.<br> Here's me sampling it...<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/me_eating_raw_beef/3431887" title="Me eating raw beef"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/887/3431887_f1e6991315_s.jpg" alt="Me eating raw beef" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Looking at the photo, I'm not sure what's worse, me eating raw meat, or the shocking Christian Slater, batman cowl, hairstyle I'm developing. When did that start receding so much??</p> <p>Anyway, here's another picture of probably the best meat of the evening, misuji (I think), it's part of the shoulder, and it just melts in the mouth. Amazing.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/misuji_i_think/3431888" title="Misuji (I think)"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/888/3431888_20edcddd0a_s.jpg" alt="Misuji (I think)" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/04/21/kayaking-and-a-bit-of-raw-meat-5979648/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-03-28:/2009/03/28/my-wine-review-website-5845370/silentjim2009-03-28T04:08:50+01:002009-03-28T04:08:50+01:00 <p>I love a bit of wine, and since I've been in Japan I've been keeping notes on the wine I drink (and taking the occasional photo). We've been going nearly every week for 3 years to a great wine bar in Ashiya, Petit Emillion, so been trying different wines each week.</p> <p>So, I decided to make a wine review website so I could keep track of what I drank, and liked and disliked, and then I thought, why not let other people sign up and keep track of what they like, dislike etc.<br> A couple of weeks ago it went 'live' as they say, so why not check it out if you have time (and like a tipple or two).<br> It's at <a href="http://www.moippai.com">www.moippai.com</a> <a href="http://www.moippai.com">Wine Reviews</a> (just click this link).</p> <p>I'm in the process of adding a beer, whiskey and sake review section too, which should be up and running in a couple of weeks.<br> So please join (it's free of course!), and start adding your own reviews or commenting on my (unprofessional) ones <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/03/28/my-wine-review-website-5845370/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-03-25:/2009/03/25/nova-news-monkey-bridge-was-innocent-5823740/silentjim2009-03-25T01:08:07+01:002009-03-25T01:08:07+01:00 <p>I just discovered in the newspaper today, that my old boss, Monkey Bridge from Nova was let off criminal charges last year by the Osaka police.<br> Don't know where I was when that news was announced!</p> <p>Apparently, syphoning off money from one company into another (that you own) is not an offence, as is taking about a third of employees wages to pay for the rent in their company accomodation but then not actually paying the landlords the rent, so when the company collapses there are lots of irate landlords demanding back rent that you'd already paid.<br> Or, convincing new comers to Japan to sign up for an insurance policy of an affiliated company that has no legal standing in Japan (in Japan everyone has to have some kind of medical insurance, usually from the government, the Nova policy, run by JMA in New Zealand, wasn't recognised by the government), so when you are out of a job you have to back-pay insurance charges to the government. This is not a criminal offence either.</p> <p>Nor is conning thousands of Japanese students out of money through their very dubious small print in the contracts.<br> All not illegal.</p> <p>I found out that this wasn't illegal in the newspaper article this morning which said that a recent appeal review from court-connected citizens decided that it actually probably <em>was</em> illegal. Or '<em>unjust</em>' as they put it.</p> <p>Grrrrr...</p> <p>Anyway, rant over, normal service will resume tomorrow.</p> <p>tatafornow</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/03/25/nova-news-monkey-bridge-was-innocent-5823740/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-03-15:/2009/03/15/sake-tour-of-kobe-5757867/silentjim2009-03-15T05:20:21+01:002009-03-17T04:57:50+01:00 <p>The other week we took a 15 minute ride on the train to our local sake brewery area, and did a very pleasant tour of some of the breweries and their bars <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><br> I blogged about it at the gaijinpot blog here:<br> <a href="http://blog.gaijinpot.com/travel-sightseeing/lets-tour-sake/1004/">Lets Tour Sake</a></p> <p>Don't forget to vote for me if you liked it <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/03/15/sake-tour-of-kobe-5757867/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-03-07:/2009/03/07/another-post-ame-i-and-jlpt-5708520/silentjim2009-03-07T03:29:30+01:002009-03-07T03:29:30+01:00 <p>I don't know, there's no posts for ages then 2 come along at once, typical.</p> <p>Japanese is an odd language. It has many levels of politeness (5 apparently) each having different words, of increasing complexity. Basically the more polite you are the longer the sentence or word. (Similar to English in some ways I guess although the words tend to stay the same length in English).<br> For example:<br> I have to go = Ikanakerebanarimasen. (Polite)<br> I have to go = Ikanakya (Not so polite)</p> <p>Ikanakerebanarimasen is one of my favourite japanese words though and I try to use it as much as possible, it just flows so beautifully.</p> <p>However when they "borrow" English words, they like to shorten them as, well I guess they're "mendokusai" (troublesome).<br> For example:<br> Sandwich = Sando<br> McDonalds = Makudo (Maku in Osaka)<br> Kentucky Fried Chicken = Kenta<br> Brad Pitt = BraPee ( <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> - didn't know that one till just now)</p> <p>And the current favourite on tv, American Idol = Ame Eye</p> <p>Back to "real" Japanese. The JLPT results came back a few weeks ago...I was hoping for 40% after last years miserable 25%....48%!!!<br> Unbelievable! Not a pass, but still, very happy with that. Got 58% on the listening which is almost a pass.<br> Gives me hope for this years test in July (although should really start studying...been a bit lazy)</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/03/07/another-post-ame-i-and-jlpt-5708520/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-03-07:/2009/03/07/free-stuff-5708494/silentjim2009-03-07T03:19:40+01:002009-03-07T03:20:07+01:00 <p>Haven't updated in a while and lots to tell, but lets start with the bizarre free stuff you get given in Japan.<br> I may have mentioned this before, but companies love to give people free stuff either as advertising or incentives to join.<br> Tissues obviously, anyone who's been to Japan knows everywhere you go people are handing you little packs of tissues with their company logo on. It was one of our jobs at Nova during the free lessons to put fliers in these and pack them in bags for the staff to hand out at train stations.</p> <p>My pockets are always crammed with them. Very useful.</p> <p>Recently however I applied for a new credit card, and was given these goodies...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/free_stuff/3295181" title="Free stuff"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/181/3295181_06b4731704_s.jpeg" alt="Free stuff" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Now it may be difficult to make out what they are but it's<br> a) A box of tissues (of course!)<br> b) A 500Yen book shop voucher <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><br> c) 2 Kitchen sponges (!!!! eh???)</p> <p>Not sure the connection with banks and kitchen sponges but there you go.</p> <p>Previously we have received crates of beer for subscribing to a newsaper, bags of rice from a bank, a bag of rice from an estate agent and some washing powder from another bank.<br> All very nice and useful, if a little random.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/03/07/free-stuff-5708494/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-02-05:/2009/02/05/semi-professional-blogger-5511965/silentjim2009-02-05T12:26:36+01:002009-02-05T12:27:00+01:00 <p>Just started writing for a website here in Japan for gaijin called gaijinpot. My first post went up today, so thought I'd give it a blatant plug - the more people view it and vote for it, the more chance I might be in line for a few yen...hint hint<br> I'm supposed to write a couple of entries a month about food, drink and Kobe. Shouldn't be too difficult <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"><br> My first one was about <a href="http://blog.gaijinpot.com/hyogo/ebisu-festival-nishinomiya-and-the-large-tuna/608/">Ebisu Festival in Nishinomiya</a> so check it out...please.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/02/05/semi-professional-blogger-5511965/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-02-05:/2009/02/05/lucky-bags-5511943/silentjim2009-02-05T12:22:45+01:002009-02-05T12:22:45+01:00 <p>At New Years shops, etc sell what are called Lucky Bags. Basically a closed bag containing who knows what, which you buy for a set price and hope to get lucky!<br> Similar to those bags you get at dodgy markets I guess, where the first one has something of value and all the rest have broken toasters or what not. (At least I assume that's the scam). Anyway, these are not a scam, but like a New Years Blind Sale.</p> <p>This year for the first time I bought one! In fact, I kinda bought two, but I'll explain that later. The bags range from, I guess, 1000Yen up to 100,000Y or more in boutiques in Ginza, Tokyo, etc where you might find gold jewellery or something inside.</p> <p>Well, we were wandering around the Ebisu festival in Nishinomiya the other week, and as well as all the food stalls they also have lots of game type things, like a fun fair in England. Darts, catching ducks, fish (live ones), lucky tickets, etc etc.<br> They also have these stores that have hundreds of PSP, PS3, DS games on display and lucky bag looking bags, supposedly with one of these games inside. This time (probably always), they were half price! Down to 500Yen! Well, for 2 quid you got to haven't you?<br> I scanned the bags, picked the one containing the best prize and....</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/my_lucky_bag_no_ds_game/3206143" title="My lucky bag..no ds game?"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/143/3206143_cd687b513d_s.jpeg" alt="My lucky bag..no ds game?" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>eeehhh?? Where's my Mario Kart? Will sport? anything?<br> A dodgy Rubiks cube (that broke as soon as I tried to move it, a piece just snapped off!) and shockingly a BB gun! The kid who bought a bag before me was probably about 6years old!<br> I've not had a BB gun before, think they're illegal in England, but here they're very popular and you can buy them easily. They have machine guns and all sorts. I tried it out later and managed to shoot my hand. Bloody hurt. Put that back in the box pretty quick.</p> <p>Walking around a bit more, we came across an off license with Asahi Beer lucky bags! Now these were bound to be better - the guy promised us that there was at least 1000Y (the price) of beer in there. So I tried my luck again...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/asahi_lucky_bag/3206155" title="Asahi lucky bag"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/155/3206155_afccb2b9af_s.jpeg" alt="Asahi lucky bag" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Boy did I get lucky this time!<br> 4 cans of beer, a beer glass, a box of curry, some tissues and...some clingfilm(?!). Result!</p> <p>Gonna stick to the off license lucky bags in future, but have to wait till next year now...</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/02/05/lucky-bags-5511943/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-01-24:/2009/01/24/ebisu-festival-nishinomiya-and-the-big-tuna-5435113/silentjim2009-01-24T05:13:06+01:002009-01-24T05:13:06+01:00 <p>Every year, around January 10th there's a festival held at the Ebisu branches of shinto shrines throughout Japan (well at least I think it's throughout I've only ever been to the local one in Nishinomiya).</p> <p>This is a 3 day festival where thousands and thousands of people queue up at the shrine to give money and pray, and also to buy, not sure what you call them, blessed "charms"? - essentially sticks with leaves on tied up with coloured ribbons and stuff (just googled it - "<em>talismans</em>", or translated from the Japanese <em>fukusasa</em> - lucky bamboo grass) that are blessed by the priests and bring good luck to businesses in the coming year (as seems to be traditional with these kinds of <del>charms</del> talismans, you bring back the previous years one and chuck it in a big pile before queuing up for the new one).</p> <p>This festival is great fun and we go every year. One of the key attractions is a big tuna donated by local businesses which people queue up to stick 5yen coins to, again, supposed to bring good luck I think.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/big_tuna/3169417" title="Big Tuna"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/417/3169417_5f8ca9ad8b_s.jpeg" alt="Big Tuna" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Another big attraction is the thousands of food stalls that line the streets and back streets leading up to the shrine. Never seen so much food! Every year we tuck into turkish kebabs, yakitori (chicken on sticks), karage (deep fried chicken) and sake from a wooden square cup.<br> This year I also tried squid on a stick - which I've been seeing around for years but never had the courage to try...pretty tasty!<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/squid_on_a_stick/3169419" title="Squid on a stick"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/419/3169419_77e6f12c0c_s.jpeg" alt="Squid on a stick" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>For some reason aswell, this year nearly all the food stalls were rolling their food in fried eggs - pork on a stick wrapped in egg, chicken on a stick wrapped in egg, fried noodles wrapped. Must be the new trend. </p> <p>For those that don't know, Kansai is quite famous, food wise for takoyaki - which are balls of dough with octopus in, covered in mayonnaise and a brown sauce. Delicious. But of course there's always the problem that octopusi (? - octopuses?) are quite large so you have to cut them up into small pieces, but how big should those pieces be??<br> Here's a solution...<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/takoyaki/3169420" title="Takoyaki"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/420/3169420_ba85c84dcf_s.jpeg" alt="Takoyaki" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Just use tiny octopusi and stick the whole thing in! (ok, sometimes one of the legs will poke through the ball, but hey, nothing in life is perfect)</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/01/24/ebisu-festival-nishinomiya-and-the-big-tuna-5435113/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-01-24:/2009/01/24/and-the-winner-is-5435079/silentjim2009-01-24T04:46:26+01:002009-01-24T04:47:37+01:00 <p>Every Saturday in the Daily Yomiuri (English language daily newspaper I get) they have a "giveaway". This ranges from free tickets to museums (usually in Tokyo), restaurants, free calenders, books, etc.</p> <p>I always look at these and think there's no chance of winning, (as usually there's only 1, 2 or 5 of these to be given away), but then it struck me, that everyone probably thinks this, so no-one probably enters.<br> Aha - I see a great opportunity here.<br> So since November I've been entering, nearly every week (I skip the free tickets to plays in Tokyo - as the cost of getting there would kind of defeat the object), I've applied for, amongst other things, a CNN Japan thermos mask, a calender of animals and some McDonalds vouchers.<br> Never heard anything...until yesterday! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><br> This appeared in the post...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/wild_turkey_prize/3169394" title="Wild Turkey Prize"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/394/3169394_718dc4cbaf_s.jpeg" alt="Wild Turkey Prize" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>This was from way back in November! To be honest out of all the competition this is the one I wanted to win the most. Yatta!<br> So my theory was correct...gonna keep sending those postcards in.</p> <p>Maybe I still have a chance with that animal calender too....</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/01/24/and-the-winner-is-5435079/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2009-01-15:/2009/01/15/new-sony-walkman-nw-s738f-5381330/silentjim2009-01-15T12:25:29+01:002009-01-15T12:28:00+01:00 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sony_walkman_nw_s738f/3145711" title="Sony Walkman NW-S738F"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/711/3145711_5562b4d385_s.jpeg" alt="Sony Walkman NW-S738F" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Thanks to my family, I got this new Sony Walkman MP3 player for Christmas <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> Very cool it is too. And unbelievably light! About the same as a pound coin (or how I remember them to be).<br> Things move fast in Japan, I got Aki a Sony Walkman for her birthday in November, and went to buy the same one for myself, but it's been discontinued already and a new version bought out. (A lighter version no less).</p> <p>The design is v. cool as is the sound and ease of use. However, what I find weird, especially for an MP3 player, is, it doesn't play MP3s! At least I can't get it too.<br> The Japanese software won't install on my English language pc so I tried to use Windows Media Manager to upload files. Everything was fine, found the device, uploaded to the walkman, and then...walkman doesn't recognize them. Tried loads of different methods, seems the only way to get it to work is to use the Japanese SonicStage software. (The earlier, English version won't even recognise the device!). Doh!<br> (And they've stopped making english versions it seems) Doh! Doh!</p> <p>Bit annoying really as one of the reasons I didn't buy an ipod is because i didn't want to be tied to their format and itunes. Now it seems I have the same problem but with Sony. Why can't they be like Creative Zen and just play mp3s???</p> <p>Anyway, despite this, it's very cool and it plays videos and everything. Well not everything as I just mentioned...doh! Put it does have a nice picture of me and the mrs in Bali wedding attire. Which is nice.</p> <p>>> Addendum:<br> The English version of Media Manager does recognize the device but will only allow me to add photos, videos and podcasts (currently downloading Ricky Gervais'). So that's nice too. Wonder why it won't let you add music though? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2009/01/15/new-sony-walkman-nw-s738f-5381330/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2008-12-23:/2008/12/23/the-neatbeats-shangri-la-osaka-dec-20th-5262575/silentjim2008-12-23T04:49:56+01:002008-12-23T04:55:42+01:00 <p>Last Saturday, checked out the Neatbeats at Shangri-la in Osaka (previously saw <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2008/10/05/woah-o-wo-oh-yeah-yeah-yeah-we-ll-see-you-in-osaka-next-year-4822283">Scouting for Girls</a> there - kinda different gig, especially in terms of numbers! This time I was definitely the only gaijin there).</p> <p>For those not up on Tokyo based Rock'n'Roll bands, the Neatbeats are a Tokyo based Rock'n'Roll band. Replete with slicked back quiffs, smart black suits, skinny ties and speakers turned up to 11.<br> <a href="javascript:window.open(" title="The Neatbeats"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/027/3088027_beb9c19eda_s.jpeg" alt="The Neatbeats" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> Apologies (as usual!) for the poor quality, but taken with my phone and they wouldn't stop moving!</p> <p>As I mentioned before I managed to pick up a couple of this lots cds at a market in Ashiya for about 100Yen (an absolute bargain!) - didn't know them at the time but you have to buy an album called <strong>"Japanese Rock & Roll Attack"</strong> don't you?!<br> And a great discovery they were. Just great, loud (it was almost as loud as the Dinosaur Jr gig from a couple of years ago - I liked rock'n'roll before, but the true impact is only felt at deafening volume!), classic rock - some of it in Japanese, some in English.</p> <p>I was a bit surprised by the audience. Most seem to be late teens early 20s! Seems great tunes never lose their appeal.</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="The Neatbeats"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/025/3088025_2a8fbfbad7_s.jpeg" alt="The Neatbeats" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>They came out and just said "hello" (or "konbanwa"), then launched into about 5 non-stop crashing tunes. Just as I was thinking, they're not a very talkative bunch, they stopped for a 10 minute comedy banter routine amongst the band, which had the audience in stitches. This happened every 5 or 6 tunes. Hugely entertaining (I even found myself laughing at times, surprised myself I could understand what they were saying - sometimes).<br> They went off then came back for a couple of encores. They went off again, the lights came on, people started to gather their stuff together and they came back and banged out another couple of tunes! About 2 hours in total. Marvellous.<br> Apparently they did about 140odd gigs this year, so will definitely look out for them next year.</p> <p>Found this on Youtube....</p> <p>Wrote this blog while waiting for our taxi to arrive to take us to the airport so we can fly to Bali on our honeymoon <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> Hurry up!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2008/12/23/the-neatbeats-shangri-la-osaka-dec-20th-5262575/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2008-12-20:/2008/12/20/merry-kurisumasu-and-yoi-otoshi-o-5248581/silentjim2008-12-20T04:37:40+01:002008-12-20T04:37:40+01:00 <p>Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</p> <p>The New Years break is nearly upon us (New Years is big here, Christmas<br> not so, everyone still works on that day). Although they do enjoy Kurisumasu, as I've mentioned before with pizza delivery guys etc. dressing up as Santa, etc.</p> <p>We're having our Christmas in Bali this year for our honeymoon <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> but back in time to watch the 8 hour music extravaganza on New Years Eve and the trip to the shrine at midnight.<br> Gonna miss out on the traditional KFC Christmas dinner and cake. Have to try and find the Indonesian equivalent.</p> <p>Off to see a Merseybeat band from Tokyo tonight, The Neatbeats! Should be interesting. I picked up a couple of their cds from a market a few months ago and nearly dropped my bacon sandwich when I saw they were playing in Osaka! Gonna try and fashion a quiff and get my drainpipes on. Or I might just wear my Beatles t-shirt and be done with it. </p> <p>Forgot to mention, for Aki's birthday a few weeks ago we went to our favourite Kobe steak restaurant for lunch, and this time had the more expensive <em>genuine</em> Kobe steak. This cow was massaged every day and was given a bottle of beer just before she was sent off to become our steak.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/kobe_steak/3080459" title="Kobe Steak"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/459/3080459_bd1491652f_s.jpeg" alt="Kobe Steak" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> So thats what 100quid (20,000Yen) of steak looks like!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/our_chef/3080460" title="Our Chef"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/460/3080460_0cf2e2f263_s.jpeg" alt="Our Chef" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2008/12/20/merry-kurisumasu-and-yoi-otoshi-o-5248581/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2008-12-13:/2008/12/13/jlpt-5213130/silentjim2008-12-13T03:34:09+01:002008-12-20T04:17:09+01:00 <p>Last Sunday was the Japanese Language Proficiency Test which I seem to have been studying for, for years. Or at least the last 10 months of this year. It's over now! Yay! (At least until next July when I have to retake it).</p> <p>I took Level 2 again after getting an impressive 25% last year (you need 60% to pass). Have to say a little bit more confident this year, I'm hoping for nearer 40% <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><br> It was strange last, year, I had lots of time at the end of the exam - due to not being able to read anything on the paper (it's obviously <em>all</em> in Japanese) - I just guessed most of the answers without attempting to read the questions much. This time I ran out of time!<br> Because I could actually read some of the questions and even the answers it slowed me down a lot.</p> <p>The essay questions were still impossible. Got to the end of the article and had no idea what it was on about. And there was no "which monkey is it?" in the listening test this year which is still my favourite exam question of all time. (Guess you had to be there).</p> <p>Find out the results in February and thankfully from next year there doing the tests twice a year instead of once so I have double the opportunity to fail <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>It'll be nice to not have to read Kanji flash cards in bed before sleeping or while standing on the train. I can catch up on my books.<br> (Started the very funny Alex James (Blur) biography - have to dig out their albums again).</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2008/12/13/jlpt-5213130/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2008-12-02:/2008/12/02/no-not-my-ear-again-5150452/silentjim2008-12-02T12:29:17+01:002008-12-02T12:29:17+01:00 <p>Doh! Got hit by a cold last week, and then woke up Friday morning with a muffled right ear, again! One week before my Japanese exam which includes a listening section. Bloody marvellous.</p> <p>I don't know if anyone has been reading this since last year, when I had my first encounter with the <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2007/02/09/issues_with_the_old_ear~1707650">Japanese <del>torture room</del> ear, nose and throat clinic</a> but I really didn't want to go through that again.</p> <p>Well we found a different clinic and got up early Saturday morning and headed there in the cold.<br> First impressions...much better! It wasn't packed to the rafters with a conveyor belt system past the doctor, where he clamped your nose and stuck something in it, before moving on to the next one, so that was promising.</p> <p>Didn't have to wait for long before being called in (by my middle name - Japanese officials never know what to call me - as I have to write all my 3 names down on the form to match my health insurance card, so they don't know which is which). I digress...I was called in, and then I saw it...the chair, the pipes, the chair with the nurse handing the doctor clamps and long stick things to stick up peoples noses. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_censored.gif" alt=">:XX" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I sat down and before I knew it, the nurse had given him a clamp and my nostril was clamped open and he was squirting stuff up there and rummaging around with the worlds longest nasal rummaging tool.<br> I managed to fight the urge to run screaming or punch him, and then it was over. Except then he wanted to stick something down my throat, which made me retch just as he pulled it out. Oh, he also put a metal cone in my ear and rummaged around that with a metal stick.</p> <p>But the best bit was the Star Trek vibrating tool! The doctor put a metal disc on my head which vibrated. I had to tell him where it was vibrating (in my head - left, centre, or right). That was kinda fun.</p> <p>Turns out I have an ear infection, but he wanted to find out where it came from (me, I think it was the cold...but...), so I had to undergo a range of amusing tests.</p> <p>First, I had to sit in front of an old machine and put two rubber tubes in my nose while vapour was pumped in. Next, the hearing test, in the small booth with the humming noise.<br> And then my favourite...the light bulb treatment! I had to hold a lightbulb close to each ear for about 2 minutes.<br> Finally another vapour tube for my throat.</p> <p>Wow.</p> <p>I left with 7 different kinds of medicine <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>However, I love that doctor! After about 2 days my hearing came back and my cold has now gone <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> None of that 6 weeks of pain last time resulting in a man cutting open my ear drum! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif" alt=">:-[" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I can hear again and am (not) ready for the JLPT test next week. Oh here's a picture of the university the test is being held at in Nishinomiya.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/university_in_nishinomiya/3034553" title="University in Nishinomiya"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/553/3034553_b4814c0417_s.jpeg" alt="University in Nishinomiya" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2008/12/02/no-not-my-ear-again-5150452/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2008-11-20:/2008/11/20/are-you-sure-you-need-12-000yen-5065798/silentjim2008-11-20T01:04:30+01:002008-11-20T01:06:56+01:00 <p>Some developments have been occurring over the Japanese Governments free handout of 12,000Yen. <br>Basically they've been squabbling over it in the Diet (Japanese parliament), mainly over who's going to pay for the administration of it all. <br>Seems it was poorly thought out to begin with. However two things look pretty likely... <br>1) Foreigners (that'd be me then..) won't get it unless they have permanent residency. Doh! <br>2) There's gonna be a income limit - those who earn over 20,000,000Y a year (138,000Pounds!) are being asked to "Voluntarily" refuse to pick up the money. <br>Which is nice.</p> <p>Unfortunately however, on a tv report the other day, "poor" people said they were going to pay the gas, electricity bills or pay off loans or save it. Smart. </p> <p>The "rich" people said....<em>it's not enough!</em> They want more.</p> <p>I guess rich people are the same the world over eh.</p> <p>None of this will happen till March next year anyway.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2008/11/20/are-you-sure-you-need-12-000yen-5065798/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2008-11-01:/2008/11/01/global-financial-crisis-and-the-japanese-answer-4964517/silentjim2008-11-01T03:57:55+01:002008-11-03T04:30:00+01:00 <p>In case you haven't read the news there's a bit of a financial crisis going on, shares going down, people losing jobs, houses, vast fortunes, small fortunes, etc.<br> Some countries are doing drastic things to counter this. America giving big banks and corporations huge amounts of money, New Labour in Britain showing hints of it's socialist past by nationalizing banks, and then there's Japan...what are they doing?</p> <p>You got to love this country <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> In amongst the proposed tax cuts, interest rate cut from 0.5% to 0.3% and other financial stuff I don't understand. The government has proposed giving every <del>family</del> <em>person in the family!</em> 12,000Yen (about 60-70quid depending on which day of the week they give it)!<br> To promote spending! </p> <p>Although this hasn't been reported in the English language papers yet, they been interviewing people on the street on Japanese tv, and it seems most people are going to have a slap up meal at Mrs. Miggins pie shop <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> (That's a Black Adder reference for those that don't get it).</p> <p>Can't wait! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2008/11/01/global-financial-crisis-and-the-japanese-answer-4964517/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:silentjim.blog.co.uk,2008-11-01:/2008/11/01/hiking-on-a-monday-4964511/silentjim2008-11-01T03:51:38+01:002008-11-01T03:51:38+01:00 <p>The other week we went hiking! This is not something I would usually do, due to it being tiring, and, well tiring. But hiking we did. (We had a bank holiday monday so what else are you going to do?)</p> <p>We walked for about an hour from our house up hill in the direction of Rokko Mountain, through the expensive neighbourhood with garages bigger than our apartment, and I was just about to ask Aki if we were near the end yet, when she told me we were nearly at the beginning!<br> Doh!<br> Then we hit the mountain proper. It was proper steep with like rock steps and stuff, and at one point there was a chain you had to hold on to to pull yourself up the really steep bit.<br> I felt I was going to pass out and die on at least 5 occasion - excessive exercise is not something I've chosen to do since...um...anyway...on we trekked.<br> However it was worth it, as the of Ashiya and the surrounding area was gorgeous.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/view_of_our_house/2949575" title="View of our house"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/575/2949575_dd38f1f399_s.jpeg" alt="View of our house" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> (Photo taken with my phone so not the best). Our apartment is in front of those big lego looking buildings in the background).</p> <p>Also we came very close to wild boar!<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/baby_wild_boar/2949576" title="Baby Wild Boar"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/576/2949576_11a64a1e0d_s.jpeg" alt="Baby Wild Boar" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> Which were very cute.</p> <p>After about an hour or so from "the beginning" we got to the top, had lunch, (an onigiri - rice ball filled with fish and wrapped in seaweed) and headed down the other way to the beer vending machine at the bottom and the haagen daz shop <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>After my heartbeat and breathing returned to some level of normality I decided it was quite fun, and we're off to a different part of the mountain tomorrow for some more...</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://silentjim.blog.co.uk/2008/11/01/hiking-on-a-monday-4964511/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>