barok
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Posts posted by barok
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yeah they can do that green fluorescent protein thing with any animal these days - I would love to glow fluorescent green under UV radiation - people would think I was the toxic avenger or some other such mutant, nuclear wastoid super-hero. chicks would dig me.
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I get a kick out of the attitude that Japan`s economy, or any economy is just going to somehow right itself.
the plane needs fixing, then it can get righted, it`s not just a matter of time, folks!
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I`m totally the opposite - don`t sleep, get loaded, and keep drinking on the plane.
but that never works, as I always feel like crap by the time I have reached my destination, maybe I am doing something wrong.
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dream job is a well paid mattress tester. . .
. . . oh the possibilities
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I disagree MistaSparkle with your impression of the sound of Japanese girls - they speak in very low voices I find - very masculine, and lots of whining as well, which I can`t stand. But hey, I don`t want to harp.
Where were you last weekend ? I was in Tokyo looking to have some fun, I emailed you - What gives ?
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I just wish it would go one way or the other. Take some pride in your language, or learn a new one is what I say.
When I talk to English speaking Japanese folks, or any one for that matter, I don`t speak like
"I ikimashta`ed to the onsen last shumatsu but it was too atsukatta, so I just kaemashta`ed" screwing up the pronunciation all along the way.
Why ? Even if I am understood I sound like an idiot, and because my language has become a complete bastardation of one language or the other - it is soo totally chuto hampa.
With regards to Japanese, I think they would do themselves a great service if they either made up a new word to fit the meaning being sought after, the way the French did some years ago, OR scrap katakana, and just use a more stylized version of romanji - then teach the proper pronunciation of these characters to their children - i mean come on introduce some new sounds that the rest of the world, not just english speakers uses - that way people wouldn`t grow up their whole lives pronouncing v`s as b`s and si as shi, and not being able to pronounce th ar all or combined consonants all mish mashed e.g. bl as buru, etc. etc.
I am not criticizing Japan or the language, I just don`t see the point of katakana for foreign or loan words, if somebody does please educate me. I have heard that the Japanese government is pushing more and more for English education at earlier and earlier ages. If Japanese folks are interested in learning English, as many of them seem to be, some new sounds would be a great start.
Of course I know this is never going to happen, or if it does it will be very slow. But I saw ƒ[ƒŠƒ“@the other day - will somebody please tell me -@what the hell does that mean ? anyone ? It`s not in any of my dictionaries. Also drives me crazy is words like ƒZƒ“ƒgƒ‰ƒ‹@ƒXƒNƒG[ƒA@as place names when there are perfectly good words for both central and square in Japanese.
ƒGƒ“ƒh@ƒ‰ƒ“ƒg
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So the irony doesn`t escape me as I look out the window and it is raining now.
But I gotta say, that so far, I am not impressed by the heat of the Japanese summer, or by the rain of the rainy season.
I`m not complaining, I mean who likes rain or oppressive heat all the time, but before I came to Japan, and all throughout the winter months, all I heard was rainy season this or crazy summer heat that.
It rains maybe 2 or 3 times a week, and usually rains hard only once. Last night it was cold. I went to bed with a sweatshirt on.
Everybody I have been asking about this for the past 6 weeks or so, they all say, Oooh, just wait until next week, I wait and am continuously unimpressed.
What gives ?
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A glass that is half full is also half empty.
half full = half empty
optomist vs. pessimist
The explanation goes:
If a person sees a glass and says that glass is half full, you can bet he or she is an optomistic (positive) person, because he/she is focusing on the positive aspects of the glass. If a person sees a glass and says that glass is half empty, you can bet he or she is a negative person, because he/she is focusing on the negative aspect of the glass.
or maybe the person who made this up was half in the bag, since I never talk about half empty/full glasses of anything.
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I love studying Japanese, I think it is endlessly interesting, and I love speaking it, and talking to Japanese people. I will continue to study Japanese even after I return to the States, but really I think it sounds terrible, at least in some situations all the "soo na no ?, soo desu ne, yoroshiku onegaishimaaaaaaaaasu" it is really grating on the ears. I can`t help it, I just don`t like the sound of it.
I love the way that French sounds, and I studied French for 6 years, and hated it. it is not a very interesting language to study. can`t really say why.
I really like the way spanish sounds, also italian is very nice. German also sounds nice in a rough kinda way.
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yeah they are great, makes seperating with yer lagger friends guilt free - "breaker breaker, where you at, ---- okay, we`re going to hit this kicker a few more times until you get done at the restaurant, over"
I sent them to myself here in Japan in a box, which like every other box I have sent to myself, was opened by the Feds. they got through.
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In American Football, receivers run blind routes - straight ahead for 10 yards, then to one side looking back at the quarterback for the pass. This leaves them exposed to and unexpecting the hits that come from behind. A fair number of head injuries came as a result of these blind routes in the early days of American Football, so the players were given helmets.
Pads protect vital areas, but actually allow the players to hit the other players much harder than what you see in other sports - just compare a tape of American Football`s greatest hits with Rugby or any other sport (Including martial arts for that matter). With guys flying 2-3 meters through the air, head-first to hit other guys in their heads or chests, it becomes apparent that these guys hit the hardest.
As for the name soccer vs. football - it is officially the FIFA or whatever, but soccer just takes all of the confusion out of it for day to day conversation.
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Yep,
When you start running, the number of mitochondria in your muscle cells begins to increase.
when you train with a variety of speeds, distances and routes (hills, stairs) and focus on builing. The number of mitochondria in your muscle cells continues to increase.
If you stop, and maintain the same distance, speed, etc. Your muscles recognize this, and seeing as your body doesn`t want to use any more energy than it has to, and seeing as using energy is exactly what mitochondria do, your body will get rid of as many mitochondria as it can, leaving you with just enough to run your same old same old route, which is probably only a few more than what you started with.
If you are running to burn calories, that is bad, because with less mito, you are burning less energy. (This is the reverse of the explanation for the "exercise increases your metabolism" statement you always hear). If you are running to get/stay in shape it is also bad, because when your body has reached an equilibrium with your same old same old route, you are not in much better shape than when you started with. You wouldn`t be in a much better position to say, climb a mountain, unless that is yer same old same old route.
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db`s right, I`m a low-down dirty rotten fish killer.
When I came to Japan, I had this idea that fish was everywhere and unavoidable. I also had this notion that because most of it was ocean fish, that it was cleaner than the lake fish that is back home.
Nowadays I`m not so sure about both of my earlier ideas. Seems Japanese people eat more meat than fish, and it also seems that the oceans are just as dirty as the lakes.
I don`t mind the killing of animals for food. I see it as the natural course of things. I do object to keeping animals in tiny, smelly cages or pens for most of their lives, shooting them up with hormones, etc. on and on and on. Did you know that animal cruelty laws don`t apply to those animals designated for food production ? Anyways, off the soapbox.
As fish live freely until they are caught and killed, I don`t really see it as a moral problem. In the states, I don`t eat `em cuz they are soooo freakin` polluted, that even the USFDA (US Govt. Food and Drug Administration) advises against eating fish more than twice a week. Over here I thought I`d give it a go. No big deal, I could go either way.
Not sure how long I`ll be in Japan, but Japan has alot of Italian food, lot`s of noodles, and alot of tofu, and tofu products, which make it easy for me to eat
And admittedly, I have relaxed my standards by alot, I don`t shun ramen, even though there is plenty of pork in the soup, I just don`t drink the soup. I am a veeery bad vegetarian these days, but like I said, it is difficult here in Japan, and I am trying to enjoy myself here, and not stress about food all the time. when I go back, I`m right back on it.
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I don`t eat meat, dairy, eggs, chicken, fish, none of it. Admittedly I have relaxed a bit here in Japan, seeing as I can`t read product labels, and it would be very difficult to follow this diet at restaurants.
When I can find them, I buy cosmetics from companies that don`t test on animals. Hard to do here in Japan for the same reason as above.
Hate bullfighting, rodeo, and and all of that crap. Yeah yeah, humans have the ability to dominate and kill animals, get over it.
Animal rights is one of the few causes in this world that I still believe is worthy of participating in. I do my part, but I don`t tell other people what they should and shouldn`t do. And as this world works on money, I am happy mine doesn`t support the bad treatment of animals. When I get back to the states, I will go straight back to vegan.
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I think that running everyday is too much. I never ran cross country, but I have studied the cycle systems that marathon runners use and generally they go 2 days on, 1 day off, then 2 days on then 2 days off. 4 days a week total.
They also increase their distance every week for 6 weeks then roll back down to the 4 week point, and then work back up. This kind of training will get you in great shape fast, and you can build without overtraining. a typical cycle set up looks something like this.
week 1 - 3 mi, 4 mi, 4 mi, 3 mi
week 2 - 4 mi, 5 mi, 5 mi, 4 mi
week 3 - 4 mi, 6 mi, 6 mi, 4 mi
week 4 - 5 mi, 7 mi, 7 mi, 5 mi
week 5 - 5 mi, 8 mi, 8 mi, 5 mi
week 6 - 6 mi, 9 mi, 9 mi, 6 mi
week 7 - 5 mi, 7 mi, 7 mi, 5 mi
week 8 - 5 mi, 8 mi, 8 mi, 5 mi
week 9 - 6 mi, 9 mi, 9 mi, 6 mi
week 10 - 6 mi, 10 mi, 10 mi, 6 mi
and so on.
running the same distance will make your muscles stale.
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I have this thing that looks like a snowboard sitting in my apartment, it is really just a bastardization of spare parts that I have left over from stuff that didn`t break this season. One never summer premier, with no effective edge, and a chewed up base, one ride jeff brushie binding, and one burton c14 binding - all of this gear has seen brighter days.
On the plus side - I am the proud new owner of an option kevin sansalone, myself. ebay $265 US - a steal of a deal. Also looking to get boots, bindings and the rest of my stuff from ebay, as I can usually save 40% and with the messed-up style of riding that I do, I can`t afford to keep buying new stuff at retail, everytime the old stuff breaks - need to get connections, ebay is great, but it is truly only for the trusty shopper.
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been at -40 in Wisconsin, I only remember it becuase -40 is the same Farenheight and Celcius. The water pipes under our street froze and broke. There were guys out there all day trying to fix them - I felt so sorry for those guys - working with water in the blistering blistering cold.
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Important to keep in mind that although it does get tracked out super fast - there are way more off-piste and backcountry options - buy the gear, find the snowmobile crew and have a blast. I will show you a few kickass spots.
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I can`t believe I missed this one, still time, I guess.
To address the evolutionary biological issues - some of you have it backwards.
The selfish gene theory, still popular today turns the tables on living things and their genes, stating that we are merely vehicles that our genes use to replicate themselves. According to this idea, and in this case it holds up, it would be the people who are having children, or who want to have children, who make personal sacrifices to ensure the propagation of their genes, who are the most selfish of us all.
Some scientists questioned the selfish gene theory, by citing cases of altruism - person sacrificing themselves so that others may live - the "hero" example. One bird emits a call to alert the rest of the flock of an incoming predator, thereby attracting the attention of that very predator to itself - the increasing danger example. The myxoma virus - introduced to Australian rabbits in an attempt to control the population, initially killed many rabbits, but later, learned to sacrifice itself individually, allowing the rabbit, and hence it`s sister virii to live in an equilibrium state within the rabbit. And before you point it out to me, I know virii are not living things, but their genetic material, and behavior is similar enough to living things to qualify it as an example under the heading of selfishness vs. altruism of genes and species. The oft-cited lemming-suicide example is a farce theorized, but not actually witnessed, by a group of scientists who discovered a large group of lemmings who had accidentally fallen to their deaths, co-incidentally during a bad food year for these creatures, and theorized suicide.
But you still have plenty of examples in the human and animal kingdom where one organism chooses or behaves in such a way to diminsh it`s survival or fecundity, and it is not considered an evolutionary oddity. Why? There is one school of thought, considered to be largely correct, that says that with regards to procreation and survival, animals, genes, etc. behave in such a way that benefits 1)the in-group (those members of the species psychologically most closely associated with the individual organism, and 2) the organism itself. The species as a whole doesn`t play an important role in behavior or the decision making process - that could partially explain why Africa is quickly rotting away.
The selfish gene theory conflicts somewhat with this latter theory, but you can extend the selfish gene theory if you recognize that the altruistic individual (or it`s genome) recognizes that in the in-group there is a very high probabliity that those same genes exist in the individuals kin.
From an evolutionary perspective, if people ULTIMATELY don`t want to have children, on an evolutionary level, it is because they recognize on some level that this decision would compound to become bad for 1)their own survival, and 2)propagation and survival of the in-group - not an unlikely scenario for people living in the world today (let`s face it, the world could be a much better place, to put it mildly) Whether or not that person`s instincts are correct or not is up to debate, but it is instinct that leads people not to have children, as much as it is that leads them to have children.
One thing interesting to note is that often, thought of the individual children`s survival is considered far less important than the survival of at least one offspring, as in places where you have less chance of survival, people, animals produce more offspring.
When talking about 2 parents, 2 children = zero popluation growth (as a model for a sustainable western family plan), it is largely inaccurate as well, because it doesn`t take into account the high percentage of divorces, remarriages, and children that result from remarriages, present in western society. When talking about overpopulated vs. mismanaged, we have to look at that mismanaged picture, as we don`t exist inside a vaccuum.
In the case of Japan, this country is faced with rapid, impending population decline, to the tune of 30-40%. Many experts predict that this population decline will be the nail in the coffin for the Japanese way of life, as in order for Japan to keep any kind of economy going, she will need to import workers from other countries, to the tune of tens of millions of people. Why is Japan`s population in decline ? You hear alot of media about parasite singles, and people getting married older, but on average, modern Japanese are simply having fewer children then their ancestors, I seem to remember something about half as many. Japanese folks recognize this fact, but resources (survival of self) is the problem that prevents many japanese from having more than 2 children. It is very expensive to raise children in this country, probably moreso than in any other country. People don`t want to live destitute just to have more children. And again, the species or in this case the nation isn`t taken into account. Japanese people know of their impending population decline, but they don`t reproduce themselves any more because of it. Nobody is "having one for Japan," methinks.
That said, I`ll probably have kids one day, although not here. I think it is great as long as you can provide for them. I can`t right now.
And I think with regards to the worlds population, there will be a big crunch, just as there was a big bang (unrivaled continued exponential growth of the past 60 or so years). Most people (about 60%) on the planet will die (I believe this has already started to happen, what with the famine and disease that we face today), as the planet itself won`t be able to sustain the human condition as it exists. At this time, the remaining people will be faced with an ultimatum - change the way you do things or suffer the same fate.
Any environmentalist worth his/her salt, recognizes that saving the earth really means not destroying the earth to the point where in can`t accomodate us. Baby seals are great, but we face real threats (undeniable climate change problems, more of that famine and disease, diminishing habitats) in the coming years. Serious stuff people.
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I can`t believe I missed this one, still time, I guess.
To address the evolutionary biological issues - some of you have it backwards.
The selfish gene theory, still popular today turns the tables on living things and their genes, stating that we are merely vehicles that our genes use to replicate themselves. According to this idea, and in this case it holds up, it would be the people who are having children, or who want to have children, who make personal sacrifices to ensure the propagation of their genes, who are the most selfish of us all.
Some scientists questioned the selfish gene theory, by citing cases of altruism - person sacrificing themselves so that others may live - the "hero" example. One bird emits a call to alert the rest of the flock of an incoming predator, thereby attracting the attention of that very predator to itself - the increasing danger example. The myxoma virus - introduced to Australian rabbits in an attempt to control the population, initially killed many rabbits, but later, learned to sacrifice itself individually, allowing the rabbit, and hence it`s sister virii to live in an equilibrium state within the rabbit. And before you point it out to me, I know virii are not living things, but their genetic material, and behavior is similar enough to living things to qualify it as an example under the heading of selfishness vs. altruism of genes and species. The oft-cited lemming-suicide example is a farce theorized, but not actually witnessed, by a group of scientists who discovered a large group of lemmings who had accidentally fallen to their deaths, co-incidentally during a bad food year for these creatures, and theorized suicide.
But you still have plenty of examples in the human and animal kingdom where one organism chooses or behaves in such a way to diminsh it`s survival or fecundity, and it is not considered an evolutionary oddity. Why? There is one school of thought, considered to be largely correct, that says that with regards to procreation and survival, animals, genes, etc. behave in such a way that benefits 1)the in-group (those members of the species psychologically most closely associated with the individual organism, and 2) the organism itself. The species as a whole doesn`t play an important role in behavior or the decision making process - that could partially explain why Africa is quickly rotting away.
The selfish gene theory conflicts somewhat with this latter theory, but you can extend the selfish gene theory if you recognize that the altruistic individual (or it`s genome) recognizes that in the in-group there is a very high probabliity that those same genes exist in the individuals kin.
That said, if people ULTIMATELY don`t want to have children, on an evolutionary level, it is because they recognize on some level that this decision would compound to become bad for 1)their own survival, and 2)propagation and survival of the in-group - not an unlikely scenario for people living in the world today (let`s face it, the world could be a much better place, to put it mildly) Whether or not that person`s instincts are correct or not is up to debate, but it is instinct that leads people not to have children, as much as it is that leads them to have children.
One thing interesting to note is that often, thought of the individual children`s survival is considered far less important than the survival of at least one offspring, as in places where you have less chance of survival, people, animals produce more offspring.
When talking about 2 parents, 2 children = zero popluation growth (as a model for a sustainable western family plan), it is largely inaccurate as well, because it doesn`t take into account the high percentage of divorces, remarriages, and children that result from remarriages, present in western society. When talking about overpopulated vs. mismanaged, we have to look at that mismanaged picture, as we don`t exist inside a vaccuum.
In the case of Japan, this country is faced with rapid, impending population decline, to the tune of 30-40%. Many experts predict that this population decline will be the nail in the coffin for the Japanese way of life, as in order for Japan to keep any kind of economy going, she will need to import workers from other countries, to the tune of tens of millions of people. Why is Japan`s population in decline ? You hear alot of media about parasite singles, and people getting married older, but on average, modern Japanese are simply having fewer children then their ancestors, I seem to remember something about half as many. Japanese folks recognize this fact, but resources (survival of self) is the problem that prevents many japanese from having more than 2 children. It is very expensive to raise children in this country, probably moreso than in any other country. People don`t want to live destitute just to have more children. And again, the species or in this case the nation isn`t taken into account. Japanese people know of their impending population decline, but they don`t reproduce themselves any more because of it. Nobody is "having one for Japan," methinks.
That said, I`ll probably have kids one day, although not here. And I think with regards to the worlds population, there will be a big crunch, just as there was a big bang (unrivaled continued exponential growth of the past 60 or so years). Most people (about 60%) on the planet will die (I believe this has already started to happen, what with the famine and disease that we face today), as the planet itself won`t be able to sustain the human condition as it exists. At this time, the remaining people will be faced with an ultimatum - change the way you do things or suffer the same fate.
Any environmentalist worth his/her salt, recognizes that saving the earth really means not destroying the earth to the point where in can`t accomodate us. Baby seals are great, but we face real threats (undeniable climate change problems, more of that famine and disease, diminishing habitats) in the coming years. Serious stuff people.
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Yo,
I will be out west this winter to check out the mountains, probably stay for a month total, but most of that time will be spent at Whislter or Big White, but I am way eager to check out Stevens & Baker. Glad you made it home aaaiight, and good luck with whatevaaah. . .
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Takayama is a spa town, there are lots of Japanese tourists from all over that go to Takayama to get away from the cities (usually Nagoya). I have never been, but it is definately a hotspot, and yeah, it has the old culture, which will make your tenure here enjoyable. If Takasu/Dynaland is really only an hour away, you would be a fool not to buy a car, and go there as often as possible - Fattwins will show you the backcountry cornice, which is kicker heaven.
Buy a car, shaken it if it isn`t already shakened , but you will need someone who speaks japanese and has patience and time to help you out, it is quite an obnoxious process(find parking, get approval from the police station, register with 2 seperate city offices, get insurance, pay for the car, get it shakened, drive - I am not sure of the correct order), but you have plenty of time before the season starts.
And as Fattwins said, Bring deoderant. Best way to bring your gear here is to ship it by sea.
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been going 3 times a week lately, and running every other day - I am soooo super out of shape right now, and there is only one way. It`s strange to me that the snowboarding season always leaves me in pitiful shape.
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Well there is a lawsuit almost every time you have a traffic accident. I have sued and been sued. I think it is routine here in Japan as well. But the frivolous lawsuits are out of hand for sure. And traffic accidents fall within those ranks as well some times.
The best sandwich you`ll ever eat
in General off-topic discussions
Posted
So here`s what you need - your favorite kind of bread - mine is the fat french baguette - you can cut in half and have two sandwiches - just think! you`ll also need some leaf lettuce a tomato, an avocado, age tofu - you know that puffy fried yellow tofu that doesn`t quite look like tofu. Japanese folks put it in udon or ramen sometimes, or they cut it up and put it in miso soup. you `ll also need yakiniku sauce - the spicier the better I say. salad dressing and onion are optional.
So you are making a sandwich.
1) slice the tomatoes and onions into 3 and 1 thin slices, respectively
2) slice up as much avocado as you think is reasonable
3) peel off some leaf lettuce and wash it
4) lightly toast your favorite bread
5) after the bread is toasted, put salad dressing, lettuce tomatoe and onion on one side of the bread (in that order), then put or spread (depending on how you like it) the avocado on the other side of the bread.
6) refry the age tofu in a pan. when it is nice and seared, but not blackened, mind you, pour some yakiniku sauce on it, and flip it a few times to really get that sauce in there.
7) put the sauzy agetofu on the avocado side of the sandwich
8) slap the sandwich together, cut it in half, and. . .
9) enjoy the best damn sandwich you never had ! !
I myself do this 2-3 times a week, and have fer a while - - good stuff, and healthy too.