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Biwako Hot Dog (??????????)
This is a foodblogging post I have put off for a year and a half. The photos were waiting patiently to be edited on my desktop for all that time, and I continually ignored their pleas of “Post me! Post me!” So it is finally time for the story to be told: A short time before encountering the Biwako Hot Dog, I wrote a post detailing the history of the Japanese fish sausage (which has turned into sort of a resource center for aspiring fish sausage makers worldwide – go read the comments!). So it was a happy coincidence that found us cruising the mountains around Lake Biwa, because the…
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Yoshida Family Dudes (-1) Kyushu Trip
Adam and my dad took a trip down to Kyushu this past April and the details are up over at Higo Blog. Most excellent photojournaling, bro! I wanted to tag along, at least for a couple days, but I was busy at work (some things never change). What the hell is that? (UPDATE: See this post for an explanation) Go check out the whole post.
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Man vs. Deer
It’s OK, he probably doesn’t believe in that “survival of the fittest” shit anyway… Don’t bring a bow to a hoof fight, biooootch!
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Incident Log
Here’s a really cool implementation of Google Maps: incidentlog.com Some examples: Recent incidents in Los Angeles Bizarre incidents (“Assault with a yoyo” is a classic) Sex offenders in the state of California I chose examples close to home, but the site covers all of the US.
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You say tomato…
The most confusing terminology discussion I’ve ever read to the very end (because it has to do with food, of course!): If an English biscuit is an American cookie, what is an American biscuit called in England? Hint: It’s neither a lorry, a brolly, nor a faggot. ………………. BONUS BAKED GOODS RECIPE: LINK “Fanny would never have a Spotted Dick unless it had a nice big blob of nice hot custard on it” Run, Dick, run!
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I, Couples Therapist
Recently, after returning home from work I’ve been hiking up Mt. Magata, conveniently located just down my street. Right now, the cicadas are out in full force and their incessant cries drown out the sound of my own footsteps as I ascend the paved hiking trail. The heat under the (natural, not planted!) forest canopy is quite oppressive, and the mosquitoes dive bomb at fresh meat quite mercilessly, so I usually only hike up and back down again. Yesterday, though, I was feeling spunky, and after descending halfway down the slope I turned around and jogged another circuit up the steps. I like exercising up there because it’s basically deserted;…
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Marriage in Japan, redux
Found this interesting (and, as far as I can tell, accurate) node over at everything: How to marry a Japanese person The author’s conclusion is that “international marriages do not work under Japanese law.” I think this a bit extreme, but some of the points outlined certainly defy all logic. Interesting reading, anyway.
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Mixi
Mixi is a great place to practice your Japanese, Mixi is fairly well thought out. Mixi is a great place to make you feel like you have many Japanese friends. One thing though: Why is Mixi seemingly filled with 5 million 12-year olds?
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Speed Tribes
Holy shit! I just read a supercritical review of Speed Tribes! By a real Karl Taro hater! Karl Taro does drugs! Karl Taro ineffectively mixes fact and fiction! Karl Taro BAD!!! Now, I can see why some think the book is overrated (it was covered in both Wired and Time back in the day; it is apparently required reading in some Japanese courses back in the states). I can see how some might not agree with the subject matter. What I fail to see is how this can be considered a book not worth reading. …………………. As for the authenticity of it – did people like the characters in his…
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Worst nightmare
I have a hole in my bottom left molar, I assume from a cavity. I thought I’d wait until I go to Bangkok to get it worked on (medical care in Bangkok is excellent and cheap), but I spent a few minutes examining it in the mirror, and I basically think the tooth is being held together by a previous filling. It probably needs to be removed, or at least I’ll need a crown. Going to the dentist in Japan is just a major pain in the ass – they make you visit multiple times for any work, sometimes even for routine cleaning. Nam had to get a couple fillings…
