Thoughts and experiences from this simple creature, called Chris.
How well do you know him?
Do you even care? Probably less so, after reading this:
Saturday, November 25
Come on, Wales!!!!
Today, at 5 pm, Wales takes on the might New Zealand All Blacks in what everyone hopes will be a fantastic game of rugby.
I'm hoping our boys can do themselves proud. Maybe come off with a suprise win. We haven't beaten these guys in 53 years. New Zealand have destroyed England and France and all other teams. This is their last game in Europe, before they return to New Zealand. For us Welsh, we are relishing the challenge. I'm going to try and catch the match here in Japan. It will start at about 2am. I amy have found a pub that shows the game. It's in Roppongi, the night club and drinking capital of Tokyo. If I go, I expect I'll be the only guy in red, surrounded by a sea of black. I shall have to sing well, then.
Here's some video of the haka. The All Blacks perform this before the start of every game. A tradition from teh maori people of New Zeland. Great stuff. Intense.
Our boys tradition is more post match - double figures in pints. We also finish things off by shouting and rolling around, then vomitting on the carpet.
I shall try to sing a few notes and keep the 'hwyl' going.
TV's 'The Unit' suspected of assassinating Lebanese minister Pierre Gemayel
On Wednesday. November 22nd, The UN Security Council approved a request from the Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora for help in investigating the assassination of the Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.
The UN immediately responded by allocating the important mission to one of it's most secret teams of undercover investigators. The identity of such a team remains a highly classified military secret.
However, sources have revealed that already, they have a list of possible suspects. Top of that list are the cast members of the popular American TV show 'The Unit'.
Members of 'The Unit': prime suspects.
The UN investigators are trying to gather evidence to link 'the Unit' to the assassination. It seems that the spray of bullets closely matches that found in the windshield of the private car of South american druglord Enormuso Cajones (season 2, episode 3).
Investigator uses opportunity to test out the macro mode on his new camera.
Also, 'The Unit' has been connected to several key asassinations in the Middle East region, throughout the course of the three series. Most significant among these is the 'taking out' of the ficticious Lebanese chief Hezbollah leader Yallah Habibi, in season one.
A spokesperson for the TV company in charge of making this series commented that: "This is ridiculous! These guys are just actors, acting out a ficticious show, for crying out loud! They've never even been to Lebanon! We film everything in a used parking lot in South Los Angeles. None of these guys can shoot for shit! This is totally ridiculous! However, it's great publicity for the show and the Network says 'go with it'."
The Chief UN investigator replied with: "Aha! This is exactly what they want you to think! That these men are not crack soldiers. But just look at the way that they infiltrated the Generalissimo's fortress in season 2! And how they took out an entire squadron of North Korean crack commandos in season one, using just a pair of chopsticks and a bowl of hot noodles!! No sir, these guys are dangerous, and they have been SEEN carrying out acts of asassination, all over the world! This must end! No one is above the law!!I shall see to it that season 5 is filmed from the inside of a maximum security stockade. The same one the A-Team was in...before they escaped. Curse them!"
This secretive military unit is seemingly answerable to no one. They have demonstrated violations of international protocol and have been linked to over 35 diplomatic assassinations in places as far afield as Agfhanistan, Makethisupistan, Comulbia, Bovilia and even the former URSS. The UN is seeking permission from the United States government to examine post production tapes of season four and access to all scripts for past, present and future episodes.
An uncomfirmed source in the UN has leaked the possible identity of the top secret team sent to investigate this asassination. Speaking in monotone, the unidentified UN spokesperson only gave this brief statement:
"In November, 2006, a crack commando unit was sent to Lebanon by the UN to investigate a crime they didn't commit. These men previously escaped from a maximum-security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If the UN has a problem, if no one else can help, and if no planes are involved, then maybe the UN can hire the … A-Team."
They love it when a plan comes together.
Said spokesperson then proceeded to fire a submachine gun into the air (for what he later claimed was 'dramatic effect').
Investigations are ongoing.
(It is not my intention to make light of the murder of another human being. I apologise if this is the impression I have created. The UN investigative team has reported the existence of evidence to link 15 cases of politcally motivated attacks, since last year's asassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Seems like all sh*t is going down in this beautiful country. As usual, the people who suffer most are the innocent women and children and non combatants, stuck in the middle of it all. This report is ficticious...or is it?)
Guess what? I got paid!!!!! Celebrated by going to Akihabara and picking up a 2GB SD card by Transcend for 5,979yen. It's 150x, so it's up to 22.5MB/s. That's more or less the fastest in the world. Not bad value.
Here is a pic I took of some of the best prices available in Akihabara (Electronic town in Tokyo) for mainstream memory cards (more reliable): (click on pic to see the larger size, the use the back button to come back)
Thinking of investing in a 512mb memory stick for my Sony cyber shot DSC-P150 7.2Mpixel camera.
As of this moment, I have a 256MB memory stick and some other smaller mem sticks which amount to under 200MB.I use this little baby as my standby. It takes shots fast and easy. It's my pocketable, take-anywhere cam.
My work horse is my Canon Powershot S2is. 5M with 12x optical zoom and optical image stabilisation, as well as stereo sound video recording. It's a great camera and I got it for a good price (about 38,000yen, a year ago).
So, today I got some omney in the bank!!
Here's today's diet of choice:
So, I went to a nice alcohol shop and bought some beer and new French wine! The Japanese go crazy over Beaujolais Nuevous, so I thought "when in Rome..." . I'll be in Rome in less than 2 weeks! I spent about 9,000yen on alcohol. Awesome!!! Here's my basket:
I'll be meeting up with old friends, making new ones and travelling across Europe! First up is Rome. Few days there to see the sights, pay a visit to my homeboy the Popesie, grab me some pizza, grab me some Italian fine ass (isn't that what Italians do?), gesticulate wildly with my hands (isn't that what Italians do?) and get drunk in Rome (isn't that what I do?).
Then, it's a half day in Swizterland, where I plan to get full of chocolate and cheese and possibly get drunk in Switzerland.
Next up is Istanbul/Constantinople/Byzantium. Gonna get me sum Turkish delight (if you know what I mean - because I'm not so sure), great coffee, soft ice cream, see the harem, etc and quite probably get drunk on a terrace with a gorgeous night view of old Istanbul and the Bosphourus sea (no, not boiling with chemicals, it's called that).
Then it's rush rush rush to Berlin where I hope to meet my good friend Steffan. We will catch up and see the sights and with about 120% probability, get more than a little drunk in Berlin. I hope to get drunk in the former East berlin, if I can (an added bonus).
Then I have to secure transport and get my raggedy ass to Poland and Krakow. I plan to se the castle, teh dragon's grotto, the mystic energy line convergence point, the square, the salt mines, Auschwitz, some museums, sample the local food, try to wonderful cafes (Krakow is considerede the Vienna of Poland) and drink loads of their great coffee. I'm gonna need that coffee because I have a feeling that I'm going to get drunk, at least once out there.
Then it's again securing transportation to take me South and a little West to Austria and Vienna, land of the Hapsburgs. This will be my 3rd visit to this beautiful, wonderful city. I plan to visit what is possibly one of the greatest museums in the world (actually there are 2 of them, opposite each other - kuntehistorische and naturalhistorische), check out the famous lippizanner dancing horses in training (they are fantastic), try to visit as many world's best cafes as I can and enjoy fine coffee in priceless cups on silver trays... ...and of course get blind drunk at least once. I already know some places where I can find a nice Gosser or homebrew.
Then it's train or bus and about 5 hours to the Czech Republic and Prague. I'll check into the same place I stayed on my last trip and enjoy the Bernard beer in the basement bar, but not before I pop across the road and say hello to my little friends, the pints of Pilsner Urquell and Gambrinus, one of my favourite beers - ever.
My birthday will be on the 21st December, so I'm planning to tae a trip out ot the Pilsner Urquell brewery, in Plzen and do a tour and I'll get to tap a huge oak barrel, in the ancient cellars under the ground and drink some unpasturised golden urquell pilsner nectar!! Mmmmm!! I still remember the last time we were allowed a plastic cup of the stuff. I had about 5. Then if I'm still standing, I'll sample some more fine beverages in the brewery bar.
Finally, on 23rd, I'll fly back to Britain and then make my way home to Wales. I hope to visit my local pub. It's about 3 or 4 miles from my home, in a small village with about 6 or so houses (I live on a farm, in the hills). It's a tiny little place, but the people are 'real people' and the drinks are good and they are cheap. Also, it's not far to slink home before collapsing into unconciousness.
I hope to be able to remember Christmas, but I expect the fridge will be fully stocked with booze, so who knows?
After Christmas, I'll be headed to London and a few parties with my friends.
I fly back to Japan on 31st December. That's right - New Year's Eve. Bummer, yes?
Actually, maybe no.
I plan to celebrate 3 New Years!
At 3pm UK time, it will be midnight in Japan so I'll haev a drink in a good London pub and celebrate with my friends.
I fly at about 8pm, so I calculate that about 10pm UK time, I should be flying into the time zone where it is midnight, so I'll have 'a drink' on the plane (with a hostess or seven, if they are up for it) and celebrate New Year, wherever it is (I think it could be Egypt).
At midnight, UK time, I should still be flying, so I'lL celebrate another new year, the new year in the UK, again on the plane (in the arms of my favourite air hostess {notice I didn't say flight attendant}? - unfortunately, probably not).
I've paid for the lflghts, the hostels, everything but spending money and beer and transport to and from Krakow. I hope I won't get robbed or mugged or murdered or lost too often (I meant lost too often, not murdered too often - though I suppose once is once too often). I shall try to take photos worthy of your praise and remember some of my antics and adventures, as they happen. I'll put them on my holidays blog.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years. Hopefully, I'll have some money wiaitng for me, in my bank account tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed...
Meanwhile, I think I need to work on my dancing skills. I heard in Eastern Europe, they don't mess around when it comes to dancing:
I'm skint. I have had a very expensive month. I had to pay 4 months back rent. I paid for my flights back to Europe for Christmas. I paid for fights in Europe (planning a big vacation again). I paid for hostel bookings. I sent money home, for my credit card.
This is the bank statement from one of my accounts:
The other one holds a grand total of 76yen.
Great.
Next payday is on the 22nd. I can hold out. I've been on my last 5,000yen since Monday. I'm down to my last 1,000yen note (it's about $10).
The bad thing is that last night a good freind from Canada was in town and of course I had to met him. Three of us had a good evening but I couldn't join them for meals or pay for any drinks, except one round of 3 cheap 200yen beers that I felt obliged to splash out on. The rest of the evening, I had to shamedly rely on the generosity of my friends. Thanks Steve, Dave and Steve's wife, Mei (for supplying Steve with funds for the night). Steve, I owe you at least 6 or 7. Dave I owe you too, buddy.
Today and tomorrow, there is a big English teachers' seminar in Tokyo. An annual thing. Something I really want to go to. But it's 500yen entrance fee (not much, but a lot for me) and to get there and back is beyond my meager finances right now. So I have to put it off until next year.
Tonight, I have my school's English department party, in Yokohama (190yen each way on the train). It's discounted to 2,000yen for part time teachers (even though I work full time hours), but even that is too much for me. I have to go. I just hope they can accept a delayed payment or that someone can loan me the 2,000yen until next week. It's very embarrassing, but what can you do?
I must accept my fate.
I don't want to ask my friends for help, because I got myself into this hole and I'll dig myself out of it. It's only for a few days, but everything seems to be happening in these few days. It would be easy to stay at home and just read or use the internet but an old friend is in town, there's a big teaching symposium I should attend, a yearly party I've promised to go to...
...ce'st la vie. For me.
Last night, as I got to Shibuya to meet Dave and Steve, I called them to find out where they were. It was then that my mobile phone company decided to stop my phone. Great. Now I am sans phone. I can recieve calls, but I can't make them. Another thing to fix, come the 22nd.
I've used almost everything edible in my kitchen. I think I have a can of baked beans in there, somewhere.
Hope my electricity doesn't get cutt off. Again. Or the water. I was in the shower once, when the water was cut off. I had just soaped myself as well (to make things even worse). I had to squint through soapy, stinging eyes and find the little bottled water I had left and rinse myself, as best I could.
Not a bad price, so I bought it. Good functions and nice sound. My other mp3 player is a 512MB Zen mirco plus. Very handy little thing. Good battery life and takes a normal small battery. But this baby is gonna be the workhorse. If you want to check out the specs, click here.
It plays nice. Comes with headphones (the guy in the shop gave me 2 sets of covers, free), a protective carrying case that can be worn on a belt, a neckstrap (VERY solid) and cables for USB and line-in and a charger. It also cahrges from the usb connection.
So far, no complaints. It's gonna take me a while to get used to all the functions. Not bad base on this.
Just been inside a nice little Indian, near my home
It was an interesting experience. Not as creamy as I would have expected. My image of Indians, being expensive and extravagant in Japan has now been changed. This Indian I have never seen before opened up, near my home. This little Indian seemed cute, colorful and rather inviting, so I went inside this Indian and tried the Indian out. This Indian I was just inside was not at all large but rather cosy and nice and warm inside. I was half expecting my eyes to water or the intense flavors to go to my head. I had to blow my nose, near the end. I was left feeling satisfied after about 30minutes. I was told to 'come again', and indeed I may. But not tonight.
The Indian I'm talking about is a new restaurant, opened up near my home. It's name is the Raj Laxmi.
It's a tiny place, with seating for about 14 (at a squeeze). 3 people seem to work there. An Indian cook, waiter and a Japanese looking lady with a nice Sari.
Nice staff. Friendly and polite. Service is prompt, friendly and not too pushy.
The second thing you notice (after the size of the place) are the prices. Not expensive. Very reasonable, especially for Japan. A dinner set of a curry with rice or naan , with a salad and drink (oolong tea) for 1000yen. Not bad. Draft beer is 300yen a glass or 500yen for a big glass. They have Maharaja and Kingfisher (both very good Indian pilsners) for 500yen. Not bad at all.
Here is a photo of the menu. It's in Japanese and English. There are, of crouse, the obligatory mistakes. You can see the famiLLy set choice. You can choose two curry (curries) from bellow(does the chef scream out the choices?). What I liked the best is that with this meal, you get a glass of bear! I've never had a bear in a glass before. Come to think of it, I've never had a bear. Great stuff. This was the most expensive thing on the menu. a family set, 2500yen, for at least 2 people.
The meal I choose was the 2nd most expensive thing, set B.
For 1500yen, I got:
A drink of oolong tea and a salad. The salad was very basic. Just cabbage, a slice of cucumber and some corn and dressing. Not even a tomato. But it tasted okay.
Next came the chicken tandoori. Very nice it was. too. Plenty of meat on it. Very good. Not too spicy but still it had plenty of flavor.
Then it was... something else. I can't remember what this was called. I was too scared to ask, in case it was a bear's appendage or something. But it tasted good. It came with a little of the strange salad, too (I got another slice of cucumber).
Then the main course arrived. But what? Where's my curry? Have the naan and rice been served, without the curry? What's going on?
A quick inspection under the naan revealed my curries! Hello, boys!!! The green one was the special curry. It was a saag chicken curry (with spinach). A little different to most saags I've had before. Not very think and creamy. Slightly 'soup'ish. But it grew on me. No pun intended. Not very spicy. A hint of garlic, perhaps? The chicken was good and soft.
The curry to the left was the mutton curry. This was my favourite of the two. Slighlty more flavor and spicier. Went well with the naan. The naan was an ample size (as they always are) but a little plain tasting. Not the most flavoursome naan I've ever had.
Flavour was a little lacking. Not as thick or creamy as I would have liked. Simple salad but it tasted fine. Plain naan was just that. Service was good and friendly. Price is very reasonable. Nice selections. Maybe next time I will try their mango lassie for 450yen or perhaps a few beers.
All in all a nice meal for only 1500yen. Not bad for Japan. I will come again, but not tonight. I need to recover.
Verdict: 7/10.
Can't argue with value for money: 8/10 Food: Not great, not bad. 6/10
I was in a supermarket yesterday. I saw a packet of Scottish shortbread biscuits. Here's the packet with the price for a 175g box (609yen):
Okay.
Then, I saw the price for a much smaller, 2 portioned, 40g packet - 105yen.
See the problem?
Let's look at the big box. 609yen for 175 g. That comes to 348yen per 100g. Okay, now the small packet. 105yen for 40g. That comes to... ...ummm... 262.5yen per 100g.
???????????????????????????
If you buy 175g worth of small packets, it will cost 459yen - saving 150yen over the box! Small packets are better - your biscuits remain fresh and sealed. You may point out that you can't buy a fraction of a packet. So, 4 packets are 160g, costing 420yen. You lose 1/2 a cookie, but you save 189 yen (you can buy another packet of 2 cookies with that and still have money to spare).
Went to the toilet. My foot touched something strange. It moved. It was a nymph - a young cockroach. The little thing disappeared. I put a bait near my toilet (roaches need water, so they are often found near sources of water - toilet bowl). Came back about an hour later. The little fella was there. Caught him. Squashed him with a knife (he was too fast to capture and ut outside and he would probably dissapear again into a small crack. Here are soe pics of the aftermath.
Sorry. Sorry, roach. What's done is done. Where are your brothers and sisters?
