Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Well...crap.

Well it's happened. Japan's started to feel like "home".

A year or so ago I had this vague future goal in my head where I knew I would be going back to Australia and doing whatever I can do after moving to Japan straight out of Uni, living there for several years and then going back with zero useful work experience at all. But now I'm really starting to envision a future that includes.... Japan.

God-damn it! I've got so many fucking issues with this country (racism, hygiene, manners, disorganised businesses and government organisations, sexism, blatant stupidity and Japanese TV. Just to name a few.) but I'm actually liking it here.

Sydney would be so much easier in almost every way but Sydney wouldn't have.... uhh... well... I don't know. It's wierd when you choose to do something that even after logically deciding that you shouldn't do it, you do it anyway.

I guess Japan is like toothpaste. It's bad for you, will give you cancer and most likely kill you but you've been using it for a while and decide to stick with it anyway.

P.S. Seriously, all toothpaste and shampoos with an ingredient called "Sodium Laurel Sulphate" in it causes cancer and the companies are aware of this but choose to keep it in as it causes those bubbles that make it feel so nice. There are safe alternatives though. It pays to check the ingredients.

P.P.S. I wrote "unorganised" when writing this post but my spell check says that word doesn't exist and to write "disorganised" instead. I guess you learn something new every day.

Labels: japan, Japanese Social Issues, Racism

Monday, 29 January 2007

Kit Kat Spotlight: Sakura (Cherry Blossom)

Our second Japanese Kit Kat Spotlight is here! Presenting pink and romantiku, Sakura (Cherry Blossom in Japanese) Kit Kat!

Japanese Kit Kat: Sakura (Cherry Blossom)

Japanese Kit Kat: Sakura (Cherry Blossom)

This is kind of like those movie soundtrack cds that have "Music Inspired by the Motion Picture" on it which means that it's not actually related to the movie the cd is based on but has a similar feel to them theme of the songs that actually do. The flavour here is cherry (though I'm pretty sure cherries don't grow on cherry blossom trees, the blossoms simply hang like cherries. I could be wrong though) and it really only almost kind of tastes like cherry. It's really more the taste you'd get if you dipped a bunch of fairy floss into a tub of Milo and then blended it all together.

This flavour was actually released last year as well, and maybe the year before for Sakura Season in March / April when the sakura tress start to blossom. A bit early this year but definitely a hit with the locals (because Sakura is "cool".)

Labels: japan, Kit Kat Spotlight

Sunday, 28 January 2007

Saturday Morning Flashback

It's funny how even after so many years I still find myself going back to those classic cartoons from the 80's. Turns out I'm not the only one who still has a place for these classics with several series getting deluxe DVD series box sets such as Dungeons and Dragons, Ninja Turtles, My Little Pony, Rainbow Bright and the Smurfs.

I just stumbled across this hillarious video by GalactiCast featuring brilliant parodies of The Transformers, G.I.JOE, He-Man and She-Ra and a true classic, JEM (Jem is excitement!) with a gay twist. Enjoy!

I love the touch at the beginning with the guy wearing the Thundercats T-shirt. Where can I get one of those?

Labels: Cartoons, Nostalgia, Transformers, tv

Kit Kat Spotlight: Yubari Melon

A new feature I thought would be fun for readers of this blog is a spotlight article on the latest and craziest flavours in the Japanese Kit Kat chocolate range!

As with most things in Japan, food and even brand name chocolates are seasonal themed with new (sometimes several new) flavours coming out at different points throught the year.

Japanese Kit Kat: Yubari Melon

Our first spotlight goes to the yummy Yubari Melon Kit Kit which is actually really nice! While it looks the same as a regular Kit Kat it has a strong and real rock melon taste too it. Judging by the Japanese ingredients on the back of the box it looks like there's real melon in it.

One of my favourite releases so far. If you're in Japan and see this, grab one, maybe two.

4/5 stars for this baby.

(This is the most whacked post I've every written.)

Labels: japan, Kit Kat Spotlight

It's an Australia Day Miracle!

After leaving Chris' place after a night of Australia Day drinking I realised I was more hungover than previously thought and had to stop for an hour or so on the way to the station to get rid of everything I had drunk and eaten within the last 24 hours.

What really surprised me was that on my second chunder chuck up a policeman on hid bicycle stopped next to me an asked me in genuine way (a very rare thing) if I was okay. I said I was fine and that he shouldn't worry. He asked if I had drunk too much alcohol to which I replied "Just a little." We both laughed and he told me that the koban (police box) was just around the corner if I needed help.

I just couldn't help but feel happy about this. It was in such contrast to my experience earlier last year in Soka when after coughing up blood and feeling as if I was about to pass out, went to a koban, explained my situation and they simply pointed me in the general direction of the hospital and told me it would be a 15 minute walk. It wasn't until a few minutes later on my way to that general direction and about 10 metres from the koban I collapsed did they think that they should call an ambulance and help me.

(On a side note, a taxi driver also refused to take me to the hospital because I was sick.)

Anyway, back to yesterday, over the next hour or so, several people expressed genuine concern for me and really wanted to know if I would be alright. Despite the occasional Exorcist style projectile vomit I didn't think I looked that unhealthy. But then again I did have that rolled out of bed hairstyle on me.

This experience completely renewed my faith in the Japanese people and made the prospect of staying here for a few more years all the more comforting.

Labels: japan, Japanese, Japanese Social Issues

Friday, 26 January 2007

Ghibli's Earthsea Worst of 2006?

I havn't seen Earthsea yet but really want to as I read the books when I was young given to me by my Pam and enjoyed her passion for them. I have read though that Ursela Le Guinn didn't like the film at all and was very disappointed that the wrong Miyazaki directed the film (the guy that did this film was the brother of the famous one who made Mononoke and Spirited Away).

A good example of how people in Japan get promoted on age or family connections and not through any ability at all. This guy was an architect for crying out loud! Why the hell was he allowed to direct a Ghibli movie???

I heard his brother wasn't too happy about it either.

Shukan Bunshun has announced the recipients of the 2007 Bunshun Raspberry Awards. The awards recognize the worst of Japanese cinema in 2006, in the same manner that the Golden Raspberry Awards recognize the worth of North American cinema every year.

Goro Miyazaki's debut movie, Gedo Senki (Tales from Earthsea), topped the list for worth movie of 2006, and he also won the award for worst director.

1. Tales from Earthsea (Japan) 2. Sinking of Japan (Japan) 3. Da Vinci Code (US) 4. Nada Soso (Japan) 5. The Promise (China) 6. Umizaru 2: Test of Trust (Japan) 7. Now and Forever (Korea) 8. Rough (Japan) 9. Angel-A (France) 10. Christmas on July 24th Street (Japan)

Worst Actress: Masami Nagasawa Worst Actor: Tom Hanks Worst Director: Goro Miyazaki

From ANN

Labels: Ghibli, movies

Thursday, 25 January 2007

The Rape of Nanking. Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You.

(Apparently saying "Coming Attractions" sounds wierd. I thought the phrase was pretty common place but it came up the other day and everyone laughed. I say "Trailers" too, but a little "Coming Attractions" every now and then is good for the soul.)

Anyway, from CBC:

China plans to depict one of the most infamous events of the Second World War, with a film version of U.S. author Iris Chang's historical account The Rape of Nanking.

Chinese moviemakers will team up with U.S. and British filmmakers to describe the brutal massacre of Chinese civilians and burning of the former capital city by Japanese troops in December 1937.

The movie deal was announced Monday, a day before the anniversary of Japan's Second World War surrender.

China has objected to plans by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to visit the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which honours Japanese leaders convicted of war crimes as well as Japan's 2.5 million war dead.

Backers of the $25 million US project hope to woo Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and Malaysia's Michelle Yeoh for the cast, according to a report from the Chinese news service Xinhua.

erald Green, the American producer of the movie, said the film would be a war classic like Schindler's List, the Oscar-winning 1993 film by Steven Spielberg about a businessman who attempts to save the lives of Jews in Poland.

"We hope we can make the film a classic on a massacre in the Second World War, just like Schindler's Listabout the miserable experience of Jewish people during the war," he said in an interview with Xinhua.

Chang, an American-Chinese writer who died in 2004 at age 36, wrote the 1997 English-language history, The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II.

The book was on the New York Times bestseller list for several months and became a New York Times notable book. It helped bring the massacre, little known in the West, to wider attention.

China claims 300,000 Chinese men, women and children were slaughtered by invading Japanese troops in the war-time capital Nanjing, formerly known as Nanking. A 1948 Tokyo war crimes tribunal found Japanese troops killed 155,000 people.

Japanese war crimes are a sensitive issue in China, which says Japan has not taken full responsibility for its wartime occupation of China.

Viridian, a Hollywood entertainment firm, is working with British investors and China's Jiangsu Cultural Industry Group on the project.

Shooting is to begin soon, with the movie scheduled for completion by Sept. 1, 2007, ahead of the 70-year anniversary of the Nanjing massacre.

I for one think this is great news. It definitely is something that everyone should be aware of. The things the Japanese army and government did during their occupation of China is indescribable. Mutilations, rape, forcing boys to have sex with their grandmothers and then kill them both, rip babies from mother's stomachs. The list goes on and it gets worse. (seriously)

What's infuriating is that Japan has yet to appologise for this. A lot of people think the Chinese are even making this up despite all the evidence from International and Japanese researchers. Don't even get me started on the history textbook censorship of which Japan, who has been bitching about it happening in China is itself doing the same thing.

As a movie, the story of the people involved in the real life Rape are very interesting historical characters and should make for a very gripping story on film.

I do wonder how edited this film will be when released in Japan, if at all.

Labels: movies, Rape of Nanking

Wednesday, 24 January 2007

Kramer Loses It

I remember this being mentioned in the news a few weeks ago but I never actually saw the clip. Was surfing around tonight and came across it and was completely shocked and offended but what I saw.

If you get easily offended by the "N Word", prepare yourself. What you'll see is Michael Richards (Kramer from Seinfeld) doing a stand-up comedy act and losing it at some hecklers. You can see his apology here.

And now something to cheer you up. A clip of Santa losing it and yelling racial slurs at some hecklers. :D

Labels: internet, Racism, tv

Tuesday, 23 January 2007

Goodbye Gym, Hello Yoga

Well after finding out that I'm really behind in taxes (I'll write a longer post about how fucked up the Japanese tax system is when I have the time) and also finding and using the amazing daily Yoga programs at YogaToday.com and seeing better results than I got from going to the gym, I've decided to not renew my gym membership next month and instead use free Yoga lessons in the comfort of my own home.

I know this sounds like advertising but I'm not getting paid a cent to plug these guys. YogaToday.com is a professionally made hour tv show with a twist... it's made exclusively for the net! Download is free and convenient if you have iTunes (subscribe) and the lessons are informative, fun and give you a Hell of a workout.

It's wierd but I've actually lost weight and gained muscle mass from doing this daily and my headaches and neckpains (that I've had for a few years now) have finally gone!

I was getting a bit sick of being told "GREAT JOB!", "GOOD AFTERNOON!", "THANK YOU!" in Japanese in a high pitched fish market voice every thirty seconds anyway.

Labels: fitness, internet, japan

Make money with Google Adsense and Video Clips

Google as posted this update concerning their Adsense program and the briefly trialled video ads.

They're doing another round of tests which leads my to wonder how long it will be until us regular publishers get a chance to use them.

I'm rather curious myself though I will have to redesign several sites to include that size option for the ad. I'm also wondering if they would make more money than the regular Google Adsense text ads.

I'll keep you posted.

Labels: Google Adsense, internet, make money

Monday, 22 January 2007

Marie Antoinette Movie Review

Marie Antoinette
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Marianne Faithfull, Steve Coogan, Clara Braiman, Mélodie Berenfeld, Judy Davis, Rose Byrne and Shirley Henderson.
Director: Sofia Coppola
US Release Date: October 20, 2006

I have to admit, I knew next to nothing about this film before I saw it. I had heard that it wasn't well liked in France and that people were offended by the fact that the characters spoke English (with American accents no less) but that was pretty much it.
Being in a country where a movie ticket is the price of a DVD I wasn't really thinking of seeing this at all on the big screen until I heard that it was directed by Sofia Coppola who made one of my favourite films of all time, Lost in Translation. So much is my love for Sofia Coppola's previous film that this one quickly became the film I wanted to see as soon as possible.

Lucky for me it didn't disappoint. Similar to Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette doesn't rely on big plot points to meet the audience's expectations, instead choosing to use the medium as an opportunity to show people a glimpse into another person's life that we wouldn't otherwise see, let alone understand from general observation.

While the film is obviously based on a real historical figure and events, extra effort has been made to make everyone and thing in the film as relatable as possible through the use of not just English, but natural modern English that would be used by Marie Antoinette if she existed in our time. In addition to this, the music used is a combination of classical music as one would expect from a period film and hit music from the 80s. Both of these techniques offered such an extra level of experience for me while watching this film that I can't help but think that those who criticised the film on these points just didn't get it.

While artistic vision was used in some parts, others such as set and costume design, props and local are authentic to an amazing degree so much so that you forget you're watching a movie set a long time ago and one that exists and is easily accessible to you and me any time we wish.

The cast is simply superb with everyone giving incredibly natural performances with the film achieving something almost impossible, a child actor that doesn't make you want to reach out and slap them. Everyone here shines and I was pleasantly surprised to see two fellow Aussies mixing it up with everyone, Judy Davis and Rose Byrne who personally stole the show for me in every scene she was in ("I love your hair. What's going on there?").

The film is based on the biography, Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser but having not read it, I can't say how accurate the adaption has been. Compared to written history though, factual events, while present seem to serve as a framing device while we explore moments of Marie's life so personal and intimate, only the hardest of viewers won't find themselves smiling during these scenes. The scenes where Marie and her friends watch the sunrise with the camera staying on them long enough to make you forget you're watching a framed shot and later in the movie when she first introduces her daughter to chicken eggs are images that have stayed with me days after credits rolled.

Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette is a spiritual experience that has not just leaped into my top list of movies for the year but also my favourite movies of all time.

It comes out on DVD next month and I've already placed my preorder. It's a classic in every sense of the word.

5 stars. This film should be on everyone's must see list.

Labels: Marie Antoinette, Movie Reviews

Sunday, 21 January 2007

SmokeFreeJapan.com

Finally got around to the first stage of SmokeFreeJapan.com's makeover. The blue is only a spaceholder for now. I have a pretty cool idea for a layout in my head.

I'f you're living in Japan or interested in the hospitality industry, check it out and subscribe to the feed. I'm going to be focusing quite a bit of my energy on that site this year to supply the non smokers in Japan with a source of sanity and also hopefully to earn me some cash so I can start blogging full time and work from home.

Again, I realise it's pretty bland right now, but I promise it'll pick up.

Labels: design, japan

FREE HUGS TOKYO

Last night on my way to catch up with Christie at the famous Hachiko exit at Shibuya I saw some guys and gals gathering together and holding a sign which read "FREE HUGS". I thought this might be some kind of project but it looked like they were setting up so didn't ask them what was going on (I was also late meeting Christie).

Funnily enough, when visiting a community member's blog I saw a little button saying "FREE HUGS". Turns out this is a worldwide campaign!

You can check out the official site at freehugscampaign.org and a cool related clip of some free hugging at Shibuya done late last year on Revver here.

Am seriously thinking of joining this campaign. If any country needs it, it's Japan.

Labels: Community, Free Hugs, home movies, japan, Japanese Social Issues

Saturday, 20 January 2007

Who Am I?

I just remembered that my archives (bottom of the page)were broken so I went and fixed them all. Now you can go back and explore my whole time in Japan and the countdown to me coming here!

I can't believe how fast these last few years have gone. Seriously. Come March, I'll be starting my fourth year in Japan! Gah!

It's interesting how much I've changed. I was talking to Lisa yesterday at work and we were saying how even though we were open minded back in Australia, being in Japan has made us so much more aware of certain issues such as racism, sexual equality and education.

A good example is how the general population in Australia thinks it's acceptable to put down American and America as if it's our God given right. Hell, I think most Australians (including myself a few years back) used to enjoy the odd American joke.

Part of this is due to several factors but the main one being that not that many Americans make their way to Australia. Some for holidays but definitly not to live.

But after being in Japan and working and even become friends with some kick arse guys and gals from the states I realised what a racist prick I had been and can seriously see myself now back in Sydney and defending Americans next time one of those jokes is thrown around at a party.

Having said that though, George Bush is still a tool.

I've also become more proactive in social issues, having seen first hand a society were only 2% seem to stand up for themselves and refuse to discuss important issues like safe sex, STDs, rape, national politics and religion out of "politeness".

Before coming to Japan I would be the last person to watch the news, let alone international news but after being exposed to the Japanese government's utter stupidity when dealing with the Yasakuni Shrine and their complete denial of the Rape on Nanking I find myself actually bringing several issues up and even starting conversations about these issues whether anyone is interested or not.

Who am I now? I guess I'm still growing.

I know it's a cliché, but it's true what they say. You don't stop growing when you grow up.

Labels: blog, japan, Japanese, Japanese Social Issues, Rape of Nanking, Yasakuni Shrine

Friday, 19 January 2007

I'll Get the Next One...

I've given myself the challenge of recording the funniest pushing and shoving in the Tokyo trains. I recorded several rather boring ones before recording this tonight on my way home. Enjoy!

Labels: home movies, japan

Thursday, 18 January 2007

New Old Videos

I just uploaded some old videos I had taken from when I was living in Saitama to my Revver page. Check it out. Hope you like them. They aren't exactly groundbreaking but will give you a personal look into the bits and pieces of my life in Japan.

Labels: home movies

Google Adsense Has a New Policy or a Revised One Anyway

Google Adsense has posted an Updated Program Policy page well worth checking out. It's a lot better organised, more succinct and I may be wrong but now we can place two referral items for the same item. I'm pretty sure before it was just one? Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Labels: Firefox, Google Adsense, internet, make money

That's right! The 10th Pokemon Movie!

Yup! You all laughed and said it was just a phase but Pokemon is still a massive success in Japan and this year sees the release of the 10th Pokemon movie!!! I'm a Pokefreak and proud of it and can't wait for this next movie. Last year's (animated movies from tv shows are an annual production here in Japan, not every 4 years like a Disney movie) Pokemon movie sucked serious arse. Seriously there were cliches coming out of it's ears where cuteness weemed more important that plot or character.

This year's one however gets back to good old fashioned huge arse Pokemon battling it out with the world at stake. Can't get much better than that!

Now where's my ticket... Pokemon Centre, here I come!

Labels: computer games, japan, movies, Pokemon

Wednesday, 17 January 2007

Making Money with Google and Mozilla Firefox

Google recently posted this interesting article about new and improved referrals resources for those trying to make money by refering visitors to Firefox (a browser I personally love and reccomend to all my visitors) but it really seems like a kind of bait and catch.

While I personally love Google and have nothing but good comments to say about Adsense I'm just so paranoid about having my whole account closed down for letting myself type in "Click on this Link" above a referral button despite the fact they say we now can. I want to... but their general rules are so strict I'm not sure I will.

I'm curious as to what everyone else thinks about this new policy. Anyone else as paranoid as me?

Labels: design, Firefox, Google Adsense, internet, make money

Friday, 12 January 2007

Look at Moiy!

Well work's started again (did on Wed) so I have a lot less free time and a little less energy. Have requested the same hours but with a a four day work week instead of a five day for my next contract year starting in March. Hope it gets approved. I know one guy with a three day work week but he gets 12 hour days... not sure if it'd be worth it or not.

DarkHorizons.com has posted (as well as other sites) about the news that Kath and Kim will be getting a wonderful American version made for US audiences. Of course the characters and lingo will change but Gina Reily and .... crap forgot her name are still on as producers so I'm curious as to what it'll be like. Have to make sure to tell Kat and John about this.

In site news, have been toying around with a new layout which will give this blog a brand new look. I can't tell you how much this current brown layout is shitting me to tears.

Be patient!

Labels: design, tv, work

Wednesday, 10 January 2007

Apple iPhone

I want this! Apple just announced the new Apple - iPhone and man, if and when I upgrade to a new phone, I'm getting this! I wonder if the Japanese ones will come with an English operating system? Here's hoping!

Technology sure has come a long way. Now where's my flying cars?!? It's 2007 already! Unicron invade Cybertron two years ago for crying out loud!

Labels: shopping

Saturday, 6 January 2007

WTF!

While my blog only gets a few hits a month, apparently it's taking up 18 GIGS of traffic! Yeah, right! So my guess is people are linking to the RadioBlog files or my movie clips so I took them both down and deleted the files from the server. Sorry if you miss them.

New layout coming this week anyway.

Labels: blog

Tuesday, 2 January 2007

Christmas Photos

Just uploaded the pics Masato took at my Christmas party HERE. Enjoy! And a special thanks to Masato for taking them for me (the rest of us were just too lazy I guess!)

Labels: christmas, photos

Resolutions

Well it's that time of year again and I think my resolutions are pretty much the same as last year's but with a few new ones thrown in.

Get to a conversational level in Japanese.

Work out at the gym six days a week.

Make Yoga Today a part of my daily regime.

Work to live. Don't live to work.

Get my sites to a point where I can make at least US$300 a month (currently in the US$45 range) via GoogleAdsense, Revver, EmailCash.com.au and other programs. US$1000 a month would be dandy but I think US$300 is a bit more realistic.

Relax more.

Labels: fitness, internet, Japanese, new year, work

Happy New Year

Was finally motivated to blog something after watching the season finale of Torchwood (it's an anagram of Doctor Who! Who knew?) and then reading the latest entry at Hoshi's blog.

Anyway, Christmas was great! I threw a pot luck Christmas lunch at my place and was blessed with the presence of Masato, Finn and his brother Beau (who we thought was called Paul), Callie and Nickie and we kind of spent the whole day and night and Boxing Day drinking and watching Christmas cartoons (I never get tired of watching the Smurfs battle Satan with singing).

Will post photos soon.

I slept in until 4pm yesterday to recover from an all night Tokyo New Years celebration which I won't forget anytime soon.
What was really wierd was how there was noone was in Tokyo! There were no crowds at all! Everyone in Japan goes to visit their family for New Years and since no families appear to be from Tokyo 90% of the population up and left!

So we started the night out at the Ruby Room in Shibuya but after being bored but the atmosphere and deafened by a sound system that was turned up way too high for it's own good we swung by some conbini's and then headed for Arty Farty in Shinjuku and managed to find it literally minutes before the countdown started!

Lots of drinking, lots of dancing and lots of things that I don't want my family to find out about. ;)

Hope everyone else had as much fun as I did ringing in the new year.

Have a good one.

Labels: blog, christmas, clubbing, new year