Culture Day

Here are some pictures from the Culture Day parade in Asakusa.

Vodafone Mobile Magic with Maps

Not a big fan of Mobile Phones myself, but if I was going to buy one of these ghastly pieces of technology then this 903T from Vodafone would be it. Brimming with all the features that you would expect of a modern mobile dog and bone, it also has GPS maps. This allows you at anytime, anywhere in the world to bring up a map of where you are and allow you to enter directions on where you want to go. Brilliant. I know someone that could use one of these, but she would probably programme it to find the nearest shoe shop. Trouble is, of course, is that the map is all in Japanese, so I think that shoe shops of Tokyo will be safe for now.
Lots of Japanese mobile phone also have a television tuner built in to allow you to watch TV on your phone. You can even play the very popular Final Fantasy video game on your mobile phone, for a little taste of magic.

Cheeky Monkey

Ode to Cheeky...



Stephen won Cheeky for me at a game in Circus Circus when we were in Reno this last summer. Cheeky liked watching television with me and always was up to join me in a nap. He loved Madonna and Mexican food! He liked to come on driving trips with us- he's been in Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Canada and Tokyo airport... But sadly... Cheeky hid under my seat and got left on the airplane.



I submitted a Lost Article Claim Form... But alas. It does not appear that Cheeky will be found. Here is the FANTASTIC answer that NW Airlines sent back:


Dear Ms. Lewis RE: Case Number 1591403 -- regarding a pink, furry, stuffed monkey that was left on Flight 7.

We were sorry to learn you left your pink, furry, stuffed monkey on Flight 7 while traveling with us. We fully recognize that some items, even though they may not be of great value, may have personal significance to the owner.




Thank you for writing, Ms. Lewis. We appreciate your interest in ourcompany and hope you reunite with your pink furry, stuffed monkey.

Sincerely, Meggan Brenna, Customer Care

Thank you Meggan!
...got to love the form letter...

Daylight Savings

In Japan, DST was implemented after World War II by the U.S. occupation. In 1952 it was abandoned because of strong opposition by Japanese farmers. That is one thing that Japan has right, no confusing daylight savings. No need to worry about turning up an hour early for work or missing an hours drinking time in the evening. But farmers? Why is it always farmers who seem to be so influential in deciding about daylight savings. Scottish farmers in the UK resist change all the time, I mean, it is not as if the cows know what time it is. Then we have Japan, oh no don't pick the rice at the wrong time of day or it will not be happy...

Blue Babes Bullets Bingo Bicardi Body-snatchers

The Century Cafe in Mizonokuchi, threw a Fancy Dress Party on Halloween Night. There was Bingo and prizes, and everyone wore costume.

I threw on a blue wig and called it a costume. Everyone thinks we are "strange" Westerners anyway... Huge hit-however! Here I am with the gun lighter that Nory won...this would NEVER exist in the States. It really looks and feels like a real gun!

Here is the Bingo card. A bit hard going...as they called out the numbers in Japanese...a bit too quick for Stephen and I... Nory helped!

Here is my friend, Nory. In Stephen's afro wig. With the evening's MC...funny little jester chap

This guy tried to pick me up all night! What a nerd. I mean look at that HAIR!!

He did speak English though--with a cute accent! was really nice and relatively intelligent... so I ended up going home with him. ...I figure I can talk him into getting SHORN !!

It is either Rico suave... or some dirty old man...

Cheesy

Michelle sent us a CHEESY care package!!

Cheese&Buscuit boxes, cheddar and Cheesy films: ¡Three Amigos! and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

Bartender: We don't have beer. Just tequila.
Ned Nederlander: What's tequila?
Bartender: Uh, it's like beer.

Thank you, Michelle!!

Feel free to send Cheesy Packages anytime!
-rebekah

APPLES!

A suspicious looking package arrived...

stamped on every available inch by the US Government, the airlines, the Japan customs,

several strange large red kanji characters... which could have said Stupid Gaijins for all we knew...

Dried Apples from my Mother's orchard and prepared by her!!! FRUIT! What a TREAT!! Thank you!

Feel free to send suspicious looking packages anytime!
-rebekah