Soju Sake & Korean Beer
Updated: 56 min 30 sec ago
Freakier than a Horror Movie! And a Hotel of Doom!
As crazy is this sounds, it ACTUALLY HAPPENED!
Korean protesters smash birds with hammers
Seoul warns Tokyo over row
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, July 18, 2008
South Korea could stop cooperating with Japan in six-party talks on denuclearizing North Korea if their territorial dispute worsens, Seoul's ambassador to Tokyo Kwon Chul Hyun warned yesterday.
South Korea has already rejected a Japanese proposal for foreign ministerial talks next week on the sidelines of a security forum in Singapore.
Japan's reaffirmed claim to the South Korean-controlled Dokdo islands (Takeshima to Japan) in the Sea of Japan has sparked anger and protests in Seoul, which recalled ambassador Kwon this week.
About 40 military veterans wearing army uniforms staged a gory protest outside Japan's embassy yesterday.
They cut the heads off live pheasants, Japan's national bird, and dripped the blood on Japanese flags and on pictures of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and former Japanese leaders. Some battered birds to death with hammers. Others cut open bellies and ate the livers, shouting: "Dokdo is our territory!"
Japan's largest condom maker was forced to take down advertisements from subway cars because they might not be acceptable to some people in the current climate, a spokesman for Seoul Metro said.
About 200 advertisement spots that boast Okamoto Industries' condoms are "number one in Japan" were removed.
And more silliness over the Laincourt Rocks.
South Korea rejects Japanese exchange students
AP
OTTORI, Japan, July 16 (Kyodo) - The city of Tottori said Wednesday it has been notified by the South Korean city of Chongju that the annual exchange program among their junior high school students should be cancelled indefinitely due to the territorial dispute over two disputed islets.
The education board chief of Chongju said in a faxed message Tuesday that the decision was made in consideration to national sentiments in South Korea following the Japanese government's move to mention the islets, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, for the first time in a teaching guideline for junior high schools.
"It is regrettable that a political and diplomatic matter like Takeshima disrupts a friendly event between the two countries' middle school students," said Toshitaka Nakagawa, head of Tottori's education board. Read More...
See more at Japan Probe...
North Korea's "Hotel of Doom" wakes from its coma
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's phantom hotel is stirring back to life. Once dubbed by Esquire magazine as "the worst building in the history of mankind," the 105-storey Ryugyong Hotel is back under construction after a 16-year lull in the capital of one of the world's most reclusive and destitute countries.
According to foreign residents in Pyongyang, Egypt's Orascom group has recently begun refurbishing the top floors of the three-sided pyramid-shaped hotel whose 330-metre (1,083 ft) frame dominates the Pyongyang skyline.
The firm has put glass panels into the concrete shell, installed telecommunications antennas -- even though the North forbids its citizens to own mobile phones -- and put up an artist's impression of what it will look like.
An official with the group said its Orascom Telecom subsidiary was involved in the project but gave no details.
The hotel consists of three wings rising at 75 degree angles capped by several floors arranged in rings supposed to hold five revolving restaurants and an observation deck.
A creaky building crane has for years sat unused at the top of the 3,000-room hotel in a city where tourists are only occasionally allowed to visit.
"It is not a beautiful design. It carries little iconic or monumental significance, but sheer muscular and massive presence," said Lee Sang Jun, a professor of architecture at Yonsei University in Seoul.
The communist North started construction in 1987, in a possible fit of jealousy at South Korea, which was about to host the 1988 Summer Olympics and show off to the world the success of its rapidly developing economy.
A concrete shell built by North Korea's Paektu Mountain Architects & Engineers emerged over the next few years. A proud North Korea put a likeness of the hotel on postage stamps and boasted about the structure in official media.
According to intelligence sources, then North Korean leader Kim Il-sung saw the hotel as a symbol of his big dreams for the state he founded, while his son and current leader Kim Jong-il was a driving force in its construction.
But by 1992, worked was halted. The North's main benefactor the Soviet Union had dissolved a year earlier and funding for the hotel had vanished. For a time, the North airbrushed images of the Ryugyong Hotel from photographs.
As the North's economy took a deeper turn for the worse in the 1990s the empty shell became a symbol of the country's failure, earning nicknames "Hotel of Doom" and "Phantom Hotel."
Yonsei's Lee and other architects said there were questions raised about whether the hotel was structurally sound and a few believed completing the structure could cause it to collapse.
It would cost up to $2 billion to finish the Ryugyong Hotel and make it safe, according to estimates in South Korean media. That is equivalent to about 10 percent of the North's annual economic output.
Bruno Giberti, associate head of California Polytechnic State University's Department of Architecture, said the project was typical of what has been produced recently in many cities trying to show their emerging wealth by constructing gigantic edifices that were not related in scale to anything else around them.
"If this is the worst building in the world, the runners up are in Vegas and Shanghai," said Giberti.
See Original...
Korean protesters smash birds with hammers
Seoul warns Tokyo over row
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, July 18, 2008
South Korea could stop cooperating with Japan in six-party talks on denuclearizing North Korea if their territorial dispute worsens, Seoul's ambassador to Tokyo Kwon Chul Hyun warned yesterday.
South Korea has already rejected a Japanese proposal for foreign ministerial talks next week on the sidelines of a security forum in Singapore.
Japan's reaffirmed claim to the South Korean-controlled Dokdo islands (Takeshima to Japan) in the Sea of Japan has sparked anger and protests in Seoul, which recalled ambassador Kwon this week.
About 40 military veterans wearing army uniforms staged a gory protest outside Japan's embassy yesterday.
They cut the heads off live pheasants, Japan's national bird, and dripped the blood on Japanese flags and on pictures of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and former Japanese leaders. Some battered birds to death with hammers. Others cut open bellies and ate the livers, shouting: "Dokdo is our territory!"
Japan's largest condom maker was forced to take down advertisements from subway cars because they might not be acceptable to some people in the current climate, a spokesman for Seoul Metro said.
About 200 advertisement spots that boast Okamoto Industries' condoms are "number one in Japan" were removed.
And more silliness over the Laincourt Rocks.
South Korea rejects Japanese exchange students
AP
OTTORI, Japan, July 16 (Kyodo) - The city of Tottori said Wednesday it has been notified by the South Korean city of Chongju that the annual exchange program among their junior high school students should be cancelled indefinitely due to the territorial dispute over two disputed islets.
The education board chief of Chongju said in a faxed message Tuesday that the decision was made in consideration to national sentiments in South Korea following the Japanese government's move to mention the islets, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, for the first time in a teaching guideline for junior high schools.
"It is regrettable that a political and diplomatic matter like Takeshima disrupts a friendly event between the two countries' middle school students," said Toshitaka Nakagawa, head of Tottori's education board. Read More...
See more at Japan Probe...
North Korea's "Hotel of Doom" wakes from its coma
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's phantom hotel is stirring back to life. Once dubbed by Esquire magazine as "the worst building in the history of mankind," the 105-storey Ryugyong Hotel is back under construction after a 16-year lull in the capital of one of the world's most reclusive and destitute countries.
According to foreign residents in Pyongyang, Egypt's Orascom group has recently begun refurbishing the top floors of the three-sided pyramid-shaped hotel whose 330-metre (1,083 ft) frame dominates the Pyongyang skyline.
The firm has put glass panels into the concrete shell, installed telecommunications antennas -- even though the North forbids its citizens to own mobile phones -- and put up an artist's impression of what it will look like.
An official with the group said its Orascom Telecom subsidiary was involved in the project but gave no details.
The hotel consists of three wings rising at 75 degree angles capped by several floors arranged in rings supposed to hold five revolving restaurants and an observation deck.
A creaky building crane has for years sat unused at the top of the 3,000-room hotel in a city where tourists are only occasionally allowed to visit.
"It is not a beautiful design. It carries little iconic or monumental significance, but sheer muscular and massive presence," said Lee Sang Jun, a professor of architecture at Yonsei University in Seoul.
The communist North started construction in 1987, in a possible fit of jealousy at South Korea, which was about to host the 1988 Summer Olympics and show off to the world the success of its rapidly developing economy.
A concrete shell built by North Korea's Paektu Mountain Architects & Engineers emerged over the next few years. A proud North Korea put a likeness of the hotel on postage stamps and boasted about the structure in official media.
According to intelligence sources, then North Korean leader Kim Il-sung saw the hotel as a symbol of his big dreams for the state he founded, while his son and current leader Kim Jong-il was a driving force in its construction.
But by 1992, worked was halted. The North's main benefactor the Soviet Union had dissolved a year earlier and funding for the hotel had vanished. For a time, the North airbrushed images of the Ryugyong Hotel from photographs.
As the North's economy took a deeper turn for the worse in the 1990s the empty shell became a symbol of the country's failure, earning nicknames "Hotel of Doom" and "Phantom Hotel."
Yonsei's Lee and other architects said there were questions raised about whether the hotel was structurally sound and a few believed completing the structure could cause it to collapse.
It would cost up to $2 billion to finish the Ryugyong Hotel and make it safe, according to estimates in South Korean media. That is equivalent to about 10 percent of the North's annual economic output.
Bruno Giberti, associate head of California Polytechnic State University's Department of Architecture, said the project was typical of what has been produced recently in many cities trying to show their emerging wealth by constructing gigantic edifices that were not related in scale to anything else around them.
"If this is the worst building in the world, the runners up are in Vegas and Shanghai," said Giberti.
See Original...
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Big Assed Japanese Festivals in Kansai
Some BIG ASSED festivals coming up soon in the Kansai region of Japan (my current hood).
Tenjin Matsuri Festival
Where: Osaka
Considered on of Japan's 3 great festivals. The Osaka Tenjin Matsuri hasmore than 1,000 years of history. The most popular summer event in osaka, it is also called "the festival of water and fire in the water city." There will be more than 4,000 fireworks and many other cool things such as Taiko drumming and a water procession at night.
When: July 24-25th.
Getting there: Subway Taninmachi and Sakaisuji line, Minamimori-machi station/JR Osaka-Tenmangu Station.
Here's some video.
Gion Matsuri
Where: Kyoto
The Gion Matsuri (Japanese: 祇園祭, "Gion Festival") is an annual festival that takes place in Kyoto and is said to be one of the most famous, if not the most famous, festival in all of Japan. It spans the entire month of July and is crowned by the beautiful parade, the Yama-boko Junkō (山鉾巡行, Yama-boko Junkō?) on July 17.
Kyoto's downtown area is closed for pedestrian traffic only on the three nights leading up to the massive parade. These nights are known as Yoiyama (宵山) on July 16th, Yoiyoiyama (宵々山) on July 15th, and Yoiyoiyoiyama (宵々々山) on July 14th.
here's some video:
Tenjin Matsuri Festival
Where: Osaka
Considered on of Japan's 3 great festivals. The Osaka Tenjin Matsuri hasmore than 1,000 years of history. The most popular summer event in osaka, it is also called "the festival of water and fire in the water city." There will be more than 4,000 fireworks and many other cool things such as Taiko drumming and a water procession at night.
When: July 24-25th.
Getting there: Subway Taninmachi and Sakaisuji line, Minamimori-machi station/JR Osaka-Tenmangu Station.
Here's some video.
Gion Matsuri
Where: Kyoto
The Gion Matsuri (Japanese: 祇園祭, "Gion Festival") is an annual festival that takes place in Kyoto and is said to be one of the most famous, if not the most famous, festival in all of Japan. It spans the entire month of July and is crowned by the beautiful parade, the Yama-boko Junkō (山鉾巡行, Yama-boko Junkō?) on July 17.
Kyoto's downtown area is closed for pedestrian traffic only on the three nights leading up to the massive parade. These nights are known as Yoiyama (宵山) on July 16th, Yoiyoiyama (宵々山) on July 15th, and Yoiyoiyoiyama (宵々々山) on July 14th.
here's some video:
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Little America in Japan? (America Mura) アメリカ村
Last weekend I went into Osaka to do a few things. I checked out Sumiyoshi Shrine...for a fairly important reason....booking my wedding later this Fall. As well, I went downtown to Namba. Namba is the ever groovy heartbeat and pulse of Osaka's youth culture. Many an English teacher in Korea who had done a visa run to Osaka knows the place well. The Korean Consulate in Osaka is located in Namba, beside the cool areas Shinsaibashi and of course Dotonbori.
I walked all over the place. In one of my latest YouTube vlogs, you can see me checkin out America Mura (American Village). Is it really like America? NO, of course not!! It's completely different, but it's such a cool place. A young hipster's shopping paradise. I'm by no means hip, but for me it was a great place to people watch and admire how freakin' cool young Japanese people really can be!
American Village (America Mura) アメリカ村
A BusanKevin vid...
I saw the throngs of people gathered around the strange robotic-like clown wackin a drum when I was in Osaka last weekend. I wondered what the Hell was happening. Why do thousands of folks want a picture of such an odd thing?? Here's the answer!
Popular Osaka restaurant Cui-daore closes doors after 60 years
Mainichi
OSAKA -- Cui-daore, a popular restaurant here known for its drum-beating mascot, closes its doors on Tuesday, putting an end to almost 60 years of history.
Attention is now focused on the fate of the mascot, Cui-daore Taro. The restaurant, situated in the Dotonbori entertainment district in southern Osaka, has been flooded with inquiries about the mascot, many from people offering to buy it. The restaurant owner is negotiating with several people and businesses over the terms to buy it.
"We're asking them about their purchase conditions, and are considering each case. We can't easily decide (to whom we will sell the mascot)," said an executive of the company that operates Cui-daore restaurant.
The company is considering the possibility of displaying it somewhere in the Dotonbori district or continuing to hold the trademark rights over the mascot.
I walked all over the place. In one of my latest YouTube vlogs, you can see me checkin out America Mura (American Village). Is it really like America? NO, of course not!! It's completely different, but it's such a cool place. A young hipster's shopping paradise. I'm by no means hip, but for me it was a great place to people watch and admire how freakin' cool young Japanese people really can be!
American Village (America Mura) アメリカ村
A BusanKevin vid...
I saw the throngs of people gathered around the strange robotic-like clown wackin a drum when I was in Osaka last weekend. I wondered what the Hell was happening. Why do thousands of folks want a picture of such an odd thing?? Here's the answer!
Popular Osaka restaurant Cui-daore closes doors after 60 years
Mainichi
OSAKA -- Cui-daore, a popular restaurant here known for its drum-beating mascot, closes its doors on Tuesday, putting an end to almost 60 years of history.
Attention is now focused on the fate of the mascot, Cui-daore Taro. The restaurant, situated in the Dotonbori entertainment district in southern Osaka, has been flooded with inquiries about the mascot, many from people offering to buy it. The restaurant owner is negotiating with several people and businesses over the terms to buy it.
"We're asking them about their purchase conditions, and are considering each case. We can't easily decide (to whom we will sell the mascot)," said an executive of the company that operates Cui-daore restaurant.
The company is considering the possibility of displaying it somewhere in the Dotonbori district or continuing to hold the trademark rights over the mascot.
Categories: Blog Feeds
Life in Japan
It's been a really long time since I've updated my blog. Sorry about that for all of those who are readers. I suppose I've been focusing my "content creation" juices towards my YouTube Channel. I've been having a lot of fun making videos about life in Japan and meeting other Japan-based video bloggers.
Things are going well for me in Japan. The initial few weeks were a little on the bumpy side, but I'm really enjoying myself here. Kobe is a great city and I'm constantly finding new little restaurants, cafes and cool places to shop. Of course, life here is never boring! It's always great to carry a camera in your pocket every time you leave the house since you'll always see something interesting, weird or cool! That is some advice I'll give to anyone living in Korea, Japan, China, etc. Always have a digital camera in your pocket. Especially one with video/audio capabilities, because you're almost guaranteed to encounter something strange everywhere you go.
Here's something I came across recently. A glimpse into the slower side of life in Japan. Normally, when you see documentaries about living here or YouTuber blogs, it's about the fast-paced life in places like Tokyo and Osaka. This is a mini-documentary about an Australian who is a rice farmer in rural Japan (Shikoku).
Japan: The Slow Life
The best Japanese food you won’t easily find outside of Japan
Forbes Magazine has an article about the “Best Japanese Foods You Can’t Get At Home.” The full list of foods is in photo slideshow form, and starts with natto, a food that many foreigners apparently do not like.
Japanese underdog, hot to reclaim NY gluttony title, gets 2 fewer minutes
Mainichi
NEW YORK (AP) -- He's suddenly the hot dog underdog.
World renowned competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi of Japan is aiming to chomp his way back to the top of Friday's annual Fourth of July hot dog eating competition on Coney Island after a disappointing three-dog loss last year shattered his six-year winning streak.
And this year it could be even harder -- organizers said two full minutes would be shaved from regulation time after it was recently revealed that the original competition in 1916 was just 10 minutes long, instead of the 12-minute limit used in more recent years.Read More...
Tommy Lee Jones in Japan??
A BusanKevin vid...
Things are going well for me in Japan. The initial few weeks were a little on the bumpy side, but I'm really enjoying myself here. Kobe is a great city and I'm constantly finding new little restaurants, cafes and cool places to shop. Of course, life here is never boring! It's always great to carry a camera in your pocket every time you leave the house since you'll always see something interesting, weird or cool! That is some advice I'll give to anyone living in Korea, Japan, China, etc. Always have a digital camera in your pocket. Especially one with video/audio capabilities, because you're almost guaranteed to encounter something strange everywhere you go.
Here's something I came across recently. A glimpse into the slower side of life in Japan. Normally, when you see documentaries about living here or YouTuber blogs, it's about the fast-paced life in places like Tokyo and Osaka. This is a mini-documentary about an Australian who is a rice farmer in rural Japan (Shikoku).
Japan: The Slow Life
The best Japanese food you won’t easily find outside of Japan
Forbes Magazine has an article about the “Best Japanese Foods You Can’t Get At Home.” The full list of foods is in photo slideshow form, and starts with natto, a food that many foreigners apparently do not like.
Japanese underdog, hot to reclaim NY gluttony title, gets 2 fewer minutes
Mainichi
NEW YORK (AP) -- He's suddenly the hot dog underdog.
World renowned competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi of Japan is aiming to chomp his way back to the top of Friday's annual Fourth of July hot dog eating competition on Coney Island after a disappointing three-dog loss last year shattered his six-year winning streak.
And this year it could be even harder -- organizers said two full minutes would be shaved from regulation time after it was recently revealed that the original competition in 1916 was just 10 minutes long, instead of the 12-minute limit used in more recent years.Read More...
Tommy Lee Jones in Japan??
A BusanKevin vid...
Categories: Blog Feeds
Farmer's Vomit Creates Chlorine Gas!
54 sickened at hospital after farmer's chemical-fuelled vomit generates toxic gas
Mainichi Daily News
KUMAMOTO -- Fifty-four people were sickened at a hospital here after inhaling toxic gas from the vomit of a man who had apparently swallowed an agricultural chemical to kill himself, police and hospital officials said.
The 34-year-old farmer was admitted to Kumamoto Red Cross Hospital in Kumamoto at around 10:50 p.m. on Wednesday after apparently swallowing an agricultural chemical to commit suicide.
He vomited while undergoing treatment, generating toxic chlorine gas.
A total of 54 people near him, including doctors and patients, fell ill. Of them, 10 were admitted to hospitals including the Red Cross Hospital, while the 44 others who were not in serious condition are steadily recovering.
A bottle of chloropicrin, an agricultural chemical that is legally designated as a poisonous substance, was found at his home in Koshi, Kumamoto Prefecture. Investigators suspect that he swallowed the chemical to kill himself.
Firefighters clad in protective gar took three hours to neutralize the gas from 11:50 p.m.
Original
Oh yeah...if you're interested in learning a little Japanese....check out Victor's video at Action Teacher on YouTube. This video is geared to Japanese students studying English, but is useful to English speakers as well.
See Channel...
Victor is alsoknown as Gimmeabreakman on YouTube...
Mainichi Daily News
KUMAMOTO -- Fifty-four people were sickened at a hospital here after inhaling toxic gas from the vomit of a man who had apparently swallowed an agricultural chemical to kill himself, police and hospital officials said.
The 34-year-old farmer was admitted to Kumamoto Red Cross Hospital in Kumamoto at around 10:50 p.m. on Wednesday after apparently swallowing an agricultural chemical to commit suicide.
He vomited while undergoing treatment, generating toxic chlorine gas.
A total of 54 people near him, including doctors and patients, fell ill. Of them, 10 were admitted to hospitals including the Red Cross Hospital, while the 44 others who were not in serious condition are steadily recovering.
A bottle of chloropicrin, an agricultural chemical that is legally designated as a poisonous substance, was found at his home in Koshi, Kumamoto Prefecture. Investigators suspect that he swallowed the chemical to kill himself.
Firefighters clad in protective gar took three hours to neutralize the gas from 11:50 p.m.
Original
Oh yeah...if you're interested in learning a little Japanese....check out Victor's video at Action Teacher on YouTube. This video is geared to Japanese students studying English, but is useful to English speakers as well.
See Channel...
Victor is alsoknown as Gimmeabreakman on YouTube...
Categories: Blog Feeds
"The Office"....Japanese version!
We all know that the hit American television show "The Office" actually began as a British show. BUT....did you know that, the British version was actually inspired by a Japanese "Office"? hehe...check out this SNL skit!
The Japanese Office
The Japanese Office
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Kobe Matusri...pics and vids....
Well...as I mentioned in my previous post, I went to the Kobe Matsuri. It was a cool time. It wasn't the "traditional" matsuri many people may think of with folks running around carrying giant shrines and screaming "bonzai." It was more of an international themed festival with a wide variety of acts and show performing.
Here is a video I put together for my Youtube Channel about the Kobe Matsuri.
It was a beautiful and sunny day, but pretty damn hot. After a few hours of checkin stuff out in the sun, I was spent! See the original...
This was my first festival in Japan so Idefinately thought it was very cool. I'll be off to the Himeji Matsuri in a few weekends. Apparently it will be a more "pure" matsuri. It will be much more traditional without all of the corporate sponsorship and "international" flare.
Here is a video I put together for my Youtube Channel about the Kobe Matsuri.
It was a beautiful and sunny day, but pretty damn hot. After a few hours of checkin stuff out in the sun, I was spent! See the original...
This was my first festival in Japan so Idefinately thought it was very cool. I'll be off to the Himeji Matsuri in a few weekends. Apparently it will be a more "pure" matsuri. It will be much more traditional without all of the corporate sponsorship and "international" flare.
Categories: Blog Feeds
Kobe Matsuri and other things
Again, it's been awhile since I've updated and a great big ol' apology for that. I've just been busy. Getting adjusted to life here in Japan hasn't been as easy as I expected, but things are certainly turning around. There were a few bumps here and there, but no most things are organized.
Golden Week came and went. It was nice to have the time off between school in Canada and work in Japan, but I was really starting to get bored. I've been meeting more people and getting out to do more and more things.
Yesterday Mai and I went to Mt. Rokko. We took a cable car to the top and had lunch at a "Swiss-themed" botanical garden. Swiss-themed you might ask?? Well stop asking! One thing I learned years ago while living in Asia was to stop asking the question; "Why?"
This is me checking out the "Swiss Wonderland" in the middle of Japan!Original here....
Today Mai and I went downtown in Kobe and checked out the Kobe Matsuri. It was the 38th year for the Kobe city festival and I had a great time. It was a sunny day and I had the chance to hear some great music. The traditional drummers from Okinawa were definately the coolest thing for me. I'll post some Kobe Matsuri pictures and video later on.
To everyone in Ottawa...hope everything is great. Looks like summer is around the corner. Wish I was there for Ottawa Race Weekend!!! For everyone in Busan and Seoul....keep rockin!
Golden Week came and went. It was nice to have the time off between school in Canada and work in Japan, but I was really starting to get bored. I've been meeting more people and getting out to do more and more things.
Yesterday Mai and I went to Mt. Rokko. We took a cable car to the top and had lunch at a "Swiss-themed" botanical garden. Swiss-themed you might ask?? Well stop asking! One thing I learned years ago while living in Asia was to stop asking the question; "Why?"
This is me checking out the "Swiss Wonderland" in the middle of Japan!Original here....
Today Mai and I went downtown in Kobe and checked out the Kobe Matsuri. It was the 38th year for the Kobe city festival and I had a great time. It was a sunny day and I had the chance to hear some great music. The traditional drummers from Okinawa were definately the coolest thing for me. I'll post some Kobe Matsuri pictures and video later on.
To everyone in Ottawa...hope everything is great. Looks like summer is around the corner. Wish I was there for Ottawa Race Weekend!!! For everyone in Busan and Seoul....keep rockin!
Categories: Blog Feeds
Golden Week
I realize it`s been awhile since I`ve updated, but I still don`t have internet at home yet.
It` the end of japanese Golden Week and everyone will be forced to go back to work and school tomorrow. it will be my first day at the new job so I`m excited. Yesterday was Children`s Day. I happened to be on the waterfront at Meriken Koen yesterday to see some of the festivities. Check`em out!
Children`s Day in Japan
I was also hiking again a few days ago on Mt. Rokko in Kobe. I came across a little traditional Japanese house in a pretty sweet location.
Once I`m online at home I`ll update more frequently.
It` the end of japanese Golden Week and everyone will be forced to go back to work and school tomorrow. it will be my first day at the new job so I`m excited. Yesterday was Children`s Day. I happened to be on the waterfront at Meriken Koen yesterday to see some of the festivities. Check`em out!
Children`s Day in Japan
I was also hiking again a few days ago on Mt. Rokko in Kobe. I came across a little traditional Japanese house in a pretty sweet location.
Once I`m online at home I`ll update more frequently.
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I moved to Japan!
Here are my first 3 Vlogs about my move to Japan. I've been here for almost a week.
Vlog20...I'm in Japan
Vlog21 My Sleepy Yet Industrial Japanese Neighborhood
Vlog22 IKEA Madness in Kobe!
Check out my Japan Youtube vids here...
Vlog20...I'm in Japan
Vlog21 My Sleepy Yet Industrial Japanese Neighborhood
Vlog22 IKEA Madness in Kobe!
Check out my Japan Youtube vids here...
Categories: Blog Feeds
Beer Machines and stuff...
Day 2 and I was feeling great until about 6pm and the jetlag kicked in again. I'm totally exhausted, but things are still fine. I went to my new school in Akashi this afternoon. I just wanted to check things out and find out what time I'm expected there in the morning. I'll observe classes there tomorrow morning and at another branch on Monday morning. Then Golden Week...which means I won't actually start teaching til May 7th. That's going to be a nice break for me to relax, settle into the new apartment (which will be in Kobe) and take in more things Japanese!
For those of you who live in Japan or have done the visa run thing there from Korea; you'll recognize this contraption. For my friends and other watchers from Canada and places "not-Japan", this may be a strange sight. Yes...it is what you may thing. A beer vending machine on the street. They aren't everywhere, but there are some. Reasonable prices compared to convenience stores too! HeHe...I find them amusing...hence the picture.
I can't imagine if these things were in Canada. They'd be torn out of the wall and stolen within minutes!!!
For those of you who live in Japan or have done the visa run thing there from Korea; you'll recognize this contraption. For my friends and other watchers from Canada and places "not-Japan", this may be a strange sight. Yes...it is what you may thing. A beer vending machine on the street. They aren't everywhere, but there are some. Reasonable prices compared to convenience stores too! HeHe...I find them amusing...hence the picture.
I can't imagine if these things were in Canada. They'd be torn out of the wall and stolen within minutes!!!
Categories: Blog Feeds
I'm in Japan...and Watch Out for Fake Police!
Alright...it always messes me up when I move to a new country and the webpage (i.e. Blogger) asumes the language script of the ISP it reads. As of now, All of my blogger tabs and controls are in Japanese. This would lead one to assume that I am in Japan...which is a correct assumption. I am.
I arrived in Osaka just a few hours ago. I'm jetlagged, but generally happy. My flight was a long one on which I couldn't sleep. Never have the good fortune of being able to nod off on an airplane. My theory is that the air pressure changes simply freak my body out. I was envious of the young U.S. Marine who slept scross from me for nearly 10 hours....of course is life is probably exponentially more stressful and busy than mine...therefore the easy slumber.
I arrived in Osaka about 7pm-ish local time and am staign downtown for the night. I was greeted by the warm feel of hundreds of men wearing black suits,stumbling home or towards the subway stations....red-faced and happy. The true sign of a good "sake or biru evening."
I hope everyone back in Canada is doing well. To all the uOttawa Sction D'ers....I hope you're all enjoying the Transition to Practice week. I wish I had a transition. I've been guided directly into the fire...nothing I can't handle though.
Hey there...to all the 6's in Mr. Kennedy's class. I made it safely to Japan and brought the card you gave me (special thanks to David and Chris D.) for that. I'll take a picture of it with my Japanese class in a week or two. David...I hope your knee is feeling better :) Thank you all for the goodbye party last Friday...it was AWESOME!!!! You are a GREAt class and Mr. kennedy is truley lucky.
Whoah...check this...all of you teaching and living in Japan....
Fake Police May be Casing Foreigners, Stealing Identities
Japan Probe
If you are a foreigner in Japan, you may want to take a good look at the officer the next time you are asked to show your ID, especially if at your own home.
I just caught this story at a online blog community called Expats Japan. You can see it here. In the article, the poster tells of a suspicious cop who came to her home and asked for personal information. She later called the local police and sure enough, they knew of no such information collecting activities being performed by their own officers. They offered the following advice:
1) the police department usually sends officers out in pairs, not alone, to someone’s door
2) if the police want to collect personal info, they will tell you explicitly what it’s for (and this would be a very rare case). if language is an issue, they would encourage you to call a japanese speaking friend or would just leave and return later with an (insert your language here) speaker
3) police officers will always show clear IDs, and you can copy down their ID numbers for your records
4) police officers who come to your door will always be wearing large badges, also with ID numbers
5) and of course the usual….always keep your door locked, hide your valuables, don’t answer the door to anyone you don’t know, blah, blah, blah.
See Original...
I arrived in Osaka just a few hours ago. I'm jetlagged, but generally happy. My flight was a long one on which I couldn't sleep. Never have the good fortune of being able to nod off on an airplane. My theory is that the air pressure changes simply freak my body out. I was envious of the young U.S. Marine who slept scross from me for nearly 10 hours....of course is life is probably exponentially more stressful and busy than mine...therefore the easy slumber.
I arrived in Osaka about 7pm-ish local time and am staign downtown for the night. I was greeted by the warm feel of hundreds of men wearing black suits,stumbling home or towards the subway stations....red-faced and happy. The true sign of a good "sake or biru evening."
I hope everyone back in Canada is doing well. To all the uOttawa Sction D'ers....I hope you're all enjoying the Transition to Practice week. I wish I had a transition. I've been guided directly into the fire...nothing I can't handle though.
Hey there...to all the 6's in Mr. Kennedy's class. I made it safely to Japan and brought the card you gave me (special thanks to David and Chris D.) for that. I'll take a picture of it with my Japanese class in a week or two. David...I hope your knee is feeling better :) Thank you all for the goodbye party last Friday...it was AWESOME!!!! You are a GREAt class and Mr. kennedy is truley lucky.
Whoah...check this...all of you teaching and living in Japan....
Fake Police May be Casing Foreigners, Stealing Identities
Japan Probe
If you are a foreigner in Japan, you may want to take a good look at the officer the next time you are asked to show your ID, especially if at your own home.
I just caught this story at a online blog community called Expats Japan. You can see it here. In the article, the poster tells of a suspicious cop who came to her home and asked for personal information. She later called the local police and sure enough, they knew of no such information collecting activities being performed by their own officers. They offered the following advice:
1) the police department usually sends officers out in pairs, not alone, to someone’s door
2) if the police want to collect personal info, they will tell you explicitly what it’s for (and this would be a very rare case). if language is an issue, they would encourage you to call a japanese speaking friend or would just leave and return later with an (insert your language here) speaker
3) police officers will always show clear IDs, and you can copy down their ID numbers for your records
4) police officers who come to your door will always be wearing large badges, also with ID numbers
5) and of course the usual….always keep your door locked, hide your valuables, don’t answer the door to anyone you don’t know, blah, blah, blah.
See Original...
Categories: Blog Feeds
Weird Japan....you surprised??!??
Ok....this is some weird shit, but I suppose that's not a big surprise. I've been toJapan and seen maids on the street adverstising maid cafes. I've spotted them both in Osaka and in Tokyo. This is even more interesting for me since I'm moving to Japan in 5 days. BUT..this story is WAY BAKED....too weird for Kev!
Cross-Dressing Maid Cafe
Spelling error aside....this pic I found is still funny!
Cross-Dressing Maid Cafe
Spelling error aside....this pic I found is still funny!
Categories: Blog Feeds
Hermit Kings...Rockin Busan! (old footage)
I came across some old footage last night and spliced some of it together to make this little vid. If you were living in Busan last year, you might remember the Hermit Kings. We used to play a lot at Ol'55 and U2. This is from a gig at Interplay by PNU. We were playin Balance Beam by Blue October.
Balance Beam...Hermit Kings
See original...
The Kings were...
Mike, Gino, Tom, Travis and Kevin(Moi).
Had so many vids where I couldn't se myself hiding behind the drums so I set the camera up backstage. Good times. Gino, Mike and Travis are still rockin it out in Busan as we speak!!!
Balance Beam...Hermit Kings
See original...
The Kings were...
Mike, Gino, Tom, Travis and Kevin(Moi).
Had so many vids where I couldn't se myself hiding behind the drums so I set the camera up backstage. Good times. Gino, Mike and Travis are still rockin it out in Busan as we speak!!!
Categories: Blog Feeds
Go Sens Go
Here we go! I serious dose of all things Canadian, days before I move to Japan. The Stanley Cup playoffs start tonight and Ottawa's very own Senators are in Pittsburg to take on Sid "The Kid" Crosby and his Penguins. Are the Senators expected to do well?? No...they are considered the underdogs. With several key injuries, such as Daniel Alfredsson, and the lack of drive, feeling and goaltending this season the Sens have their work cut out for them.
Of course, since I'm teaching at an elementary school here in Ottawa...things are Sens crazy. My students are more excited than excited can be.
I'll cross my fingers with everyone else in Ottawa tonight at 7:00pm and hopefully the Sens can turn things around for themselves.
At least I'll get to be here in Canada for a few games of the Stanley Cup playoffs. With the time difference, I doubt I can catch many if not any at all, games.
"Get well Mr. Alfredsson"
So....Good Luck tonight boys!!! Kick some Penguin BUTT!!!
Of course, since I'm teaching at an elementary school here in Ottawa...things are Sens crazy. My students are more excited than excited can be.
I'll cross my fingers with everyone else in Ottawa tonight at 7:00pm and hopefully the Sens can turn things around for themselves.
At least I'll get to be here in Canada for a few games of the Stanley Cup playoffs. With the time difference, I doubt I can catch many if not any at all, games.
"Get well Mr. Alfredsson"
So....Good Luck tonight boys!!! Kick some Penguin BUTT!!!
Categories: Blog Feeds
Hero in the Hallway!
Long time no post! Things are busy. I'lll be finished Teacher's College in less than 2 weeks and will be moving to Kobe, Japan in less than 3. No time to slow down at all on my end. I'm teaching 6th grade (practice teaching) and trying to pack and clean out my apartment a little every night.
I'm teaching an anti-bullying unit in my 6th grade class and came across a cool vid last night. This is a great vieo to show students who may be bullied or, to be honest, all students.
Hero in the Hallway
See the original YouTube Channel here...
I'm teaching an anti-bullying unit in my 6th grade class and came across a cool vid last night. This is a great vieo to show students who may be bullied or, to be honest, all students.
Hero in the Hallway
See the original YouTube Channel here...
Categories: Blog Feeds
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