Monthly Archives: March 2004
English Engrish
I saw this and I pictured James Bond looking at the Man with the Golden Gun as he says “Bond, I’m gonna bust a cap in yo’ ass, Cracka! Any last words?”, with the Golden Barrel pointed steadily in the middle of Bond’s head. Bond chews on some grape flavored Bubblicious, blows a huge bubble, … Continue reading
Sad News…
It seems that 3 of my relatives of whom I have never heard of before, a Mr. Douglas Yoshida and family (of my country), have passed away in a car accident far off in Nigeria. I was contacted by a “barrister” (that’s foreigner English for “lawyer”, for all of us proper English-speaking Americans) who is … Continue reading
A Month Of Fire
In Aso, the whole month of March is dedicated to celebrating fire in various ways. It is a traditional practice to light one’s field, full of the dried out stalks and chaff left over from last year’s harvest, on fire. This not only provides entertainment, but it also looks cool and serves to fertilize the … Continue reading
White Day
Today, and every other March 14th, is White Day. On White Day, Japanese guys traditionally give cookies to women who they like, or who hooked them up with chocolate on Valentines Day. That’s right, over here Valentines Day is the day where the ladies make romantic plans and give presents and sweets to the guys. … Continue reading
Yet More News Of Spam
The largest Spam musubi in world history will be rolled in Hawaii later this April. Apparently, the Spam Jam restaraunt has successfully branched out into an official chain. It’s now only a matter of time before it arrives in the continental U.S., and it becomes another trendy “ethnic food”. Now is probably a good time … Continue reading
In The Bathroom Of Isla Vista
It doesn’t happen often but once in a great long while, I swear that I’m still living in good ol’ Isla Vista. Not necessarily one place in particular (D.P., Picasso, or Sabado Tarde) but rather, a composite of all of the places together. Other experiences have taken me back as well. Like when a really … Continue reading
Wild Rice
Ah, taking pictures of ridiculous vehicles in Japan (or fashion, or English usage, or… well, you get the point…) is like shooting fish in a barrel with a 12 gauge, however, I like these animobiles. I kind of wish that they had huge wings protruding from their backs. In Oita-ken, they have an African Safari … Continue reading
Animal Mimics And An Ample Supply Of Venison
These animal-plants, sitting along the side of the Yamanami in Ubuyama, remind me of the work of Edward Scissorhands. They sit alone, with a small shack to the right, a pen full of mangy deer to the left, and the Aso mountain range in the distance. I have no idea if the person who maintains … Continue reading
Jelly-Coated Meatloaf
Heh, a restaraunt that specializes in Spam based dishes opened in the Phillipines last year and is doing some kick-ass business. I wonder how my fellow Japanese living in Kumamoto would react to Spam musubi… I think that I will sneak some thinly sliced slabs of Spam in to my next enkai (drinking party) and … Continue reading
This Weekend’s Drive Pictures
“You live where? How many people live in your village? What do you do out there?”: These are the three questions that people always seem to ask when they first meet me. The answers are: 1. Ubuyama 2. Under 2000 people and falling 3. Many things, but I really enjoy driving. Here are a few … Continue reading