My sister Mika has started a volunteer gig at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one day a week, at the penguin exhibit. MY SISTER IS A PENGUIN WRANGLER! AT THE MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM! I believe the official job description is “Assistant Aviculturist,” or “Executive Chopper of Small Dead Fishies,” or something like that.
For the Yoshida family, this is a major coup. Now we can be associated with the jolly Asian guy who makes teriyaki sauce (Yoshida Sauce), Japanese who make the world’s best zippers (YKK), and an honest-to-God AVICULTURALIST at the MBA!
Good luck with the new job, sis!
UPDATE: Oh. My Shaka. I just realized you can see her feeding the penguins on the MBA’s Penguin Cam. Now how cool is that?
Category: Photos
Kaen Player
“The Kaen is the oldest form of the free reed family, the great great grandaddy of the harmonica and accordion. This type of instrument goes back to at least 1100BC (the harmonica and accordion only go back to the 1830s).”
(read more about the kaen and hear a sample here)
This guy was playing on the street in front of the Shangri La; he played pretty well. The kaen makes such a beautiful sound on the city street. I dropped a 10 baht coin in his bowl and listened for a moment before walking by.
Winter Nabe
One of the simple joys of winter in Japan is nabe, any combination of meat and vegetables you throw in an earthenware pot filled with water, season as you see fit, and let slowly stew to mouthwatering perfection. It is also the main reason to keep using a kerosene heater.
I must admit, however, this isn’t actually a nabe – it’s chicken ramen. The egg was in the refrigerator, so I was warming it before throwing it on top of the noodles for perfect consistency.
My new wallet
This is my new wallet, and I am secure in my manhood.
Spicy move!
All Daddy Wanted…
(from osaka bill)
Mediterrasse
(click to enlarge)
A new love hotel shopping center (see comments) being put up in Kobe. I love my new camera.