Monthly Archives: November 2011

The wrapping culture

Living in Japan is a study in contrasts. Signs everywhere to conserve energy, but I would dare suggest more clothes irons and electrically heated toilet seats per capita than any other country. A thick booklet from the town council on … Continue reading

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The painted cow

Walking along in Tokyo’s Haneda airport and spied a painted cow.

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Day trips from Tokyo: Kawai – Bonoorosan – Mitake loop hike

Today’s hike route was a lovely accident. I had the day off and could get an early start, the conditions were perfect for hiking, and being a weekday I expected a repeat of the very light hiking traffic that I … Continue reading

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The Tabi channel

One of the nice things about living in a different culture instead of just visiting it is that you don’t feel like every moment has to be filled with something culturally signifigant. Some days you simply come home from work, … Continue reading

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Kobe beef on a budget

Just to be clear, there is no such thing as budget Kobe beef. What there can be, of course is grocery store grade that you cook yourself, which in limited amounts can almost be construed as budget friendly for one … Continue reading

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Food of the day

Today’s item: Asparagus Biscuits… A crunchy cross between a Ritz cracker and an animal cookie, sprinkled with black sesame seeds. I guess they are called asparagus because of their shape? In any case very good with tea.

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The tale of two teapots

The flat came with a teapot, but it wasn’t quite right…   

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Some uncoordinated ramblings on becoming illiterate

In the course of human development, I believe it is a fair assessment that we communicated with one another before we had anything called language. I further believe that written language developed from verbal origins and was a fairly late … Continue reading

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Truth in Advertising

One of the outcomes of globalization seems to be that in many parts of the world English has become a trendy language to use on products intended for a non-English speaking domestic market – and over the last few weeks … Continue reading

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The second Tokyo flat

Since I a working a rotating shift schedule that often requires sleeping during the day, having a quiet apartment is quite important. My original flat was OK, but being on the 2’nd floor next to a busy street and a … Continue reading

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