Yes, that's right, I have two weeks off work and I am going to do nothing but chill out and relax. I have a few films to watch and some programs I Sky Plused that I need to watch but that is about it. I will still go to the odd spinning class and I will, maybe, go for a swim a couple of times but basically these next two weeks are all about being lazy and being a couch potato.
I was hoping to visit Hong Kong. A friend of mine just brought tickets for £99 pounds return but, has usual, I missed the chance, and now will not be going. Never mind, I am hoping to go back out to Japan again this year. I wanted to return again in Spring but it seems like, if I do manage to visit Japan, this year it will be in the autumn again. I would like to go for a walk in Shinjuku Garden again.
Anyway, not much has happened, to write about, and I have been drinking beer and feel fairly relaxed so not much to rant about either.
Oh well! I think I will watch 'Chakushin Ari' (着信アリ) Not the film but the tv series :-) Yes, another lonely night.
Monday, 22 March 2010
Monday, 15 March 2010
Bourton-on-the-Water; A Model Village, Birdland and Tourists from Japan
Well, for the first time in about 5 months we actually had a nice weekend. The sun was shinning and it was fairly mild. in fact in the sunshine it felt quite warm and it certainly felt, that at long last, spring was finally on it's way, even if it is late this year.
Anyway, I woke up early and decided to take my daughter to Birdland:
http://www.birdland.co.uk
Not to be confused with the larger and more expensive (I think over priced) place just of the M3 near Farnham.
It takes about an hour and a half to drive to Birdland, which is in the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-Water. When you eventually get of the Motorway (M4) the countryside is very pretty and it also brings back childhood memories of how I used to live in that area. The area in which Bourton-on-the-Water is in is called 'Cotswold.' If you only have a short stay in England and you are staying in London, then it will be a nice day out from London, a couple of hours by car or coach. Not sure how it works by train, but I guess you would take the train from London too Swindon.
Bourton-on-the-Water is probably the most popular village in the Cotswold's, and often referred to as the "Venice of the Cotswold's" because the River Windrush runs right through the centre. The combination of this clear sparkling water and the attractive low bridges crossing it create a charming scene.
Bourton-on-the-Water
So, I took her to Birdland, it is a nice place and not too big, so it does not becomes tiresome. My daughter loved it, especially watching the penguins being fed. Birdland is the only place in the country that has King Penguins and watching penguins is a treat at any age. You can watch them swim under the water has they have a pool to swim in which has glass sides.
The King Penguins in Birdland
But of course there are many other birds. I also love the Kookaburra. I think it is a rather pretty bird with the most wonderful 'laughing' call. They seem to respond well to humans. All the ones I have come across, which I admit are not in the wild has they come from Australia, always seem to be happy to laugh if you whistle or even try to mimic them.
A Kookaburra
After spending just over 3 hours in Birdland I took my daughter to the model village. The model village is a model of the village of Bourton-on-the-Water, which itself also contains an ever smaller model village. It is starting to look old and need of repair now, but non-the-less, my daughter still enjoyed herself, which is the important thing and the main reason for going.
The Model Village
We also fed the Rainbow Trout that swam in the river and then we went to a pub for a meal. After seeing all those fish, I wanted to eat fish...so I had fish and chips and mushy peas. The batter was nice a crunchy round the fish, and the fish tasted fresh, which was nice.
But, strangely for me, the highlight of the day was meeting some Japanese tourists. In fact I walked past a whole coach load of Japanese tourist of all different ages. But on one of the bridges were these four Japanese women and they were taking photographs of each other. I remember, when I was in Japan, that I met a lot of friendly Japanese that made me feel welcome in their country, from a taxi driver, to a shop keeper. I even remember fondly these 4 elderly Japanese ladies that were selling Japanese style sweets in Kyoto. They were so friendly. Anyway, I saw these Japanese ladies and I went up to them and asked them, in my best Japanese (which is actually very, very poor) if they would like me to take their photo. I think they were surprised that I tried to say it in Japanese because I heard them say 'He just spoke Japanese' Then I took their photo, they looked at it, I asked if it was OK, and they said 'yes' and then they smiled and said 'thank you.' hat was it really, but it was nice to speak a little Japanese and it was nice that they seemed to appreciate my effort...I may have even impressed them...hehehe! But I wanted to, somehow, in my own way, show my appreciation for how the Japanese I met made me feel welcome in the places I visited in Japan.
This is a map of Bourton-on-the-Water in Japanese. Birdland is just right and across the river from the Model Villlage
Anyway, I woke up early and decided to take my daughter to Birdland:
http://www.birdland.co.uk
Not to be confused with the larger and more expensive (I think over priced) place just of the M3 near Farnham.
It takes about an hour and a half to drive to Birdland, which is in the picturesque village of Bourton-on-the-Water. When you eventually get of the Motorway (M4) the countryside is very pretty and it also brings back childhood memories of how I used to live in that area. The area in which Bourton-on-the-Water is in is called 'Cotswold.' If you only have a short stay in England and you are staying in London, then it will be a nice day out from London, a couple of hours by car or coach. Not sure how it works by train, but I guess you would take the train from London too Swindon.
Bourton-on-the-Water is probably the most popular village in the Cotswold's, and often referred to as the "Venice of the Cotswold's" because the River Windrush runs right through the centre. The combination of this clear sparkling water and the attractive low bridges crossing it create a charming scene.
Bourton-on-the-Water
So, I took her to Birdland, it is a nice place and not too big, so it does not becomes tiresome. My daughter loved it, especially watching the penguins being fed. Birdland is the only place in the country that has King Penguins and watching penguins is a treat at any age. You can watch them swim under the water has they have a pool to swim in which has glass sides.
The King Penguins in Birdland
But of course there are many other birds. I also love the Kookaburra. I think it is a rather pretty bird with the most wonderful 'laughing' call. They seem to respond well to humans. All the ones I have come across, which I admit are not in the wild has they come from Australia, always seem to be happy to laugh if you whistle or even try to mimic them.
A Kookaburra
After spending just over 3 hours in Birdland I took my daughter to the model village. The model village is a model of the village of Bourton-on-the-Water, which itself also contains an ever smaller model village. It is starting to look old and need of repair now, but non-the-less, my daughter still enjoyed herself, which is the important thing and the main reason for going.
The Model Village
We also fed the Rainbow Trout that swam in the river and then we went to a pub for a meal. After seeing all those fish, I wanted to eat fish...so I had fish and chips and mushy peas. The batter was nice a crunchy round the fish, and the fish tasted fresh, which was nice.
But, strangely for me, the highlight of the day was meeting some Japanese tourists. In fact I walked past a whole coach load of Japanese tourist of all different ages. But on one of the bridges were these four Japanese women and they were taking photographs of each other. I remember, when I was in Japan, that I met a lot of friendly Japanese that made me feel welcome in their country, from a taxi driver, to a shop keeper. I even remember fondly these 4 elderly Japanese ladies that were selling Japanese style sweets in Kyoto. They were so friendly. Anyway, I saw these Japanese ladies and I went up to them and asked them, in my best Japanese (which is actually very, very poor) if they would like me to take their photo. I think they were surprised that I tried to say it in Japanese because I heard them say 'He just spoke Japanese' Then I took their photo, they looked at it, I asked if it was OK, and they said 'yes' and then they smiled and said 'thank you.' hat was it really, but it was nice to speak a little Japanese and it was nice that they seemed to appreciate my effort...I may have even impressed them...hehehe! But I wanted to, somehow, in my own way, show my appreciation for how the Japanese I met made me feel welcome in the places I visited in Japan.
This is a map of Bourton-on-the-Water in Japanese. Birdland is just right and across the river from the Model Villlage
Friday, 12 March 2010
I'm in a Bit of a Jam
Well....there I was playing about on You Tube when I came across a clip of an old British Comedy called 'Jam.' A dark, twisted, surreal and sometimes downright scary comedy written by the genius that is Chris Morris. Now words can not explain how dark and twisted 'Jam' can be, so instead of writting a blog today (apart from what I have written and about to write after this sentence), I am just going to embed some of my favourite clips from You Tube. Now I find it funny, some will be offended, some will not understand, and some will just not get the humour, but please give it a try.
I think that will do.
I think that will do.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Free Spirit = Death by Car
Cats. Love them or hate them, or like me, not really bothered either way, we all have to agree they are very free spirited creatures to have has pets. Really, they only stay with their owners because it means warm shelter and easy food, but apart from that, they pretty much spend most of their day's outside chasing birds, mice and fighting other cats. Or maybe they're 'singing' or, how can I say this...trying to 'multiply.'
There are a lot of cat lovers out there. One of my neighbours has about 4 cats, God only knows why, but 1 pet is too many in my opinion. I went in her house once, and with out being impolite her house stank of cats. I also tend to chase them out of my garden, not because I have any real hate towards cats....no, when I was a boy my mother had a pet cat and I loved it to bits, in fact she had two pet cats...but I do not like finding cat poo in my garden, especially when my daughter plays in the garden. Anyway, I have grown older and more grumpy and I am not a pet person.
Anyway, this morning, on my way to work, driving I have to say with in the speed limit of 30 mph, guess what would happen....I saw a cat running across the field, I slowed down a bit, but cats being cats, and also being a bit dumb, it carried on running on to the road. I braked harder but it was too late. I felt the bump has my wheels drove over the cat. There was nothing I could do. Rightly or wrongly, I decided not to stop, I had to get to work for 8:00am and it was 7:56 when I hit the cat. I looked in my wing mirror and I could see it shaking and it's legs were in a spasm, but it was dead and it was just the nervous system reacting to the fact there was no signal going to or coming from the brain. Plus the rush hour traffic was building up and there was no where to really pull in.
Yes I feel horrible that I hit the cat, it was after all a living creature which was only doing what cats do and yes I feel guilty for not stopping but at the end of the day, I had to get to work. I don't think my boss would be too understanding if I said I was going to be late because of a cat and I cannot afford to lose wages at this moment of time, plus, has I mentioned, it was killed on impact, so there was nothing I could actually do. I guess I could have told the owners, but I have had dealings with cat / animal lovers before. When I had not long learnt to drive I hit a cat. I did stop but the women in the car behind me had a right go at me has if I did it with intent. She was really fanatical, to say the least, and the last thing I need, this morning, is a fanatical cat owner.
Mmmmm! I hope it will not come back has a vengeful cat spirit and hunt me for the rest of my days. Nah! I refuse to believe in such things has animal spirit's.
There are a lot of cat lovers out there. One of my neighbours has about 4 cats, God only knows why, but 1 pet is too many in my opinion. I went in her house once, and with out being impolite her house stank of cats. I also tend to chase them out of my garden, not because I have any real hate towards cats....no, when I was a boy my mother had a pet cat and I loved it to bits, in fact she had two pet cats...but I do not like finding cat poo in my garden, especially when my daughter plays in the garden. Anyway, I have grown older and more grumpy and I am not a pet person.
Anyway, this morning, on my way to work, driving I have to say with in the speed limit of 30 mph, guess what would happen....I saw a cat running across the field, I slowed down a bit, but cats being cats, and also being a bit dumb, it carried on running on to the road. I braked harder but it was too late. I felt the bump has my wheels drove over the cat. There was nothing I could do. Rightly or wrongly, I decided not to stop, I had to get to work for 8:00am and it was 7:56 when I hit the cat. I looked in my wing mirror and I could see it shaking and it's legs were in a spasm, but it was dead and it was just the nervous system reacting to the fact there was no signal going to or coming from the brain. Plus the rush hour traffic was building up and there was no where to really pull in.
Yes I feel horrible that I hit the cat, it was after all a living creature which was only doing what cats do and yes I feel guilty for not stopping but at the end of the day, I had to get to work. I don't think my boss would be too understanding if I said I was going to be late because of a cat and I cannot afford to lose wages at this moment of time, plus, has I mentioned, it was killed on impact, so there was nothing I could actually do. I guess I could have told the owners, but I have had dealings with cat / animal lovers before. When I had not long learnt to drive I hit a cat. I did stop but the women in the car behind me had a right go at me has if I did it with intent. She was really fanatical, to say the least, and the last thing I need, this morning, is a fanatical cat owner.
Mmmmm! I hope it will not come back has a vengeful cat spirit and hunt me for the rest of my days. Nah! I refuse to believe in such things has animal spirit's.
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Shonen Knife
Yay! I am so happy....Why?...well, because on the 23rd May I will popping down to the Freebut in Brighton to watch a really cool Japanese band...Shonen Knife. I cannot wait. I only found out about it by chance. I thought the tickets might be all sold out, but I rang Freebut to find out and they still had tickets, so I did not hesitate. Take a look at this video of Shonen Knife performing 'Twist Barbie' live:
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
A Cafe of Maids
While, we are on the Japanese theme, I am sure anyone who has visited Japan, and walked through the streets of Akihabara would have been handed a flyer by a girl dressed in a maid costume. You look at the flyer and you see it is advertising a 'Maid Cafe.'
So what is a Maid Cafe?
Well a Maid cafe is a theme restaurant which arose out of the otaku culture in Japan. The first Maid Cafe was 'Cure Maid Cafe' which opened up in Akihabara in 2001.
The main purpose of the cafe is roleplay. The waitresses dress in maid outfits and treat their customers has if they are the master. They will address them 'sama' which is an extra-polite form of 'san.' The experience is extra-special for the guest because they get more politeness and pampering than they world at a typical restaurant and Japanese restaurants are typically very polite.
The menus are very similar to any other cafe, but the maids will often decorate a dish with cute designs. I guess this service adds the image of an innocent and Kawaii maid.
The Maids will welcome customers by saying: Okaerinasaimase, goshujinsama (Welcome Home Master)
Some of the maids will perform a song or dance routine. You also have the option of playing games, such has card games or video games, with a maid or have a shoulder massage (fully clothed.)
There are some don'ts, mind you. You cannot touch a maid. You cannot ask for any sexual favours, you cannot ask for contact details or wait outside to met a maid when she finishes work. You are not allowed to take their photo or ask them on a date.
Some Maid cafes will allow you to have a photo taken with the maids, but there is a cost for that, but the maids you had your photo taken with will take the photo and decorate it before giving it to you.
I have often asked myself the question 'Would Maid Cafes exist if it was not for the culture of Geisha or Maiko in Japan?' OK, they maybe on opposite ends of Japanese culture but there are similarities between them both. They both entertain with music, dance, etc. They both treat their customers with deep respect and politeness. Both are non-sexual (despite what a lot of people outside of Japan think)
I have saved all the flyers I received for Maid Cafes. One that stood at was '@Home Cafe'
http://www.cafe-athome.com
So take a look, and if you ever fancy visiting a Maid cafe, then do so. It will only add to your experience in Japan. And don't worry, ladies, there are also now 'Butler Cafes.' But it is also worth noting that a lot of tourist with families visit Maid Cafes.
So what is a Maid Cafe?
Well a Maid cafe is a theme restaurant which arose out of the otaku culture in Japan. The first Maid Cafe was 'Cure Maid Cafe' which opened up in Akihabara in 2001.
The main purpose of the cafe is roleplay. The waitresses dress in maid outfits and treat their customers has if they are the master. They will address them 'sama' which is an extra-polite form of 'san.' The experience is extra-special for the guest because they get more politeness and pampering than they world at a typical restaurant and Japanese restaurants are typically very polite.
The menus are very similar to any other cafe, but the maids will often decorate a dish with cute designs. I guess this service adds the image of an innocent and Kawaii maid.
The Maids will welcome customers by saying: Okaerinasaimase, goshujinsama (Welcome Home Master)
Some of the maids will perform a song or dance routine. You also have the option of playing games, such has card games or video games, with a maid or have a shoulder massage (fully clothed.)
There are some don'ts, mind you. You cannot touch a maid. You cannot ask for any sexual favours, you cannot ask for contact details or wait outside to met a maid when she finishes work. You are not allowed to take their photo or ask them on a date.
Some Maid cafes will allow you to have a photo taken with the maids, but there is a cost for that, but the maids you had your photo taken with will take the photo and decorate it before giving it to you.
I have often asked myself the question 'Would Maid Cafes exist if it was not for the culture of Geisha or Maiko in Japan?' OK, they maybe on opposite ends of Japanese culture but there are similarities between them both. They both entertain with music, dance, etc. They both treat their customers with deep respect and politeness. Both are non-sexual (despite what a lot of people outside of Japan think)
I have saved all the flyers I received for Maid Cafes. One that stood at was '@Home Cafe'
http://www.cafe-athome.com
So take a look, and if you ever fancy visiting a Maid cafe, then do so. It will only add to your experience in Japan. And don't worry, ladies, there are also now 'Butler Cafes.' But it is also worth noting that a lot of tourist with families visit Maid Cafes.
Monday, 1 March 2010
Must say things in Japan part 1.
You're in Tokyo and you can't find a 'First Kitchen'? Then ask for directions, but remember the Japanese have a habit of shortening words so you will have to ask where the nearest :- ファッキン is.
最寄りのファッキンはどこですか。
Moyori no fakkin wa doko desu ka.
最寄り : 'Moyori' = Nearest.
の : 'no' this is a particle meaning something like 'of.'
ファッ キン : Fakkin (First Kitchen) The Japanese often shorten words for example the Japanese band 'Asian Kung Fu Generation' is often shortened to 'Ajikan.'
は : 'wa' is the subject particle.
どこ : 'doko' = where.
です : 'desu' = is / are
か : 'Ka' is the question particle. To make a sentence a question add 'ka' at the end.
Yes, I know it is childish and immature to want to go to a First Kitchen just so you can say the word 'fakkin' Just because it sounds very similar to the 'F' word, but it has to be done.
Actually it is also often referred to just 'FK' (Efukei) and they redesigned their logo in 2005 to emphasize this.
.jpg)
最寄りのファッキンはどこですか。
Moyori no fakkin wa doko desu ka.
最寄り : 'Moyori' = Nearest.
の : 'no' this is a particle meaning something like 'of.'
ファッ キン : Fakkin (First Kitchen) The Japanese often shorten words for example the Japanese band 'Asian Kung Fu Generation' is often shortened to 'Ajikan.'
は : 'wa' is the subject particle.
どこ : 'doko' = where.
です : 'desu' = is / are
か : 'Ka' is the question particle. To make a sentence a question add 'ka' at the end.
Yes, I know it is childish and immature to want to go to a First Kitchen just so you can say the word 'fakkin' Just because it sounds very similar to the 'F' word, but it has to be done.
Actually it is also often referred to just 'FK' (Efukei) and they redesigned their logo in 2005 to emphasize this.
.jpg)
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