danz

bad movies that I have seen recently... 8mile Windtalker...or codetalker...that nicholas cage ww2 flick...terrible DareDevil bad movies can be fun with the right company, but usually are a cause of much pain, anxiety and stress for me... I am however, very content with terrible kung-fu flicks...I could watch those without end.. danz

hey zwelly... Breckenride is a really beautiful part of CO...Summit County has a few resorts in the area, Breck, Copper, A-Basin (I think...). I was in breck a looong time ago, and I think they have done some major expansion since then. The town is small and typical rocky mtn. ski village...accoms will be way more varied and nicer than what we deal with in japan, same with facilities (I think that is true of all N.American resorts compared to nippon). Personally, I think Aspen is a more interesting area...you got Aspen Mtn, Aspen Highlands (steeeeeep), Snowmass (gigantic), and anot

just saw it last night at Roppongi HIlls... that theatre is awesome. Amazing sound and huge screen...although seats could be more comfy for the price but I loved the movie...I'm a sucker for cheap thrills, and it kept me well entertained (except for that zion dance/love scene that seemed to last forever)...the action sequences and cg are like nothing I have ever seen on the big screen before...thought the story was actually really good and clever too...cant wait for the next one! danz

big-will, so much of the music scene in america is not what you see on MTV or hear on the radio... The non-mainstream music scene in the states is alive and well...I think a renassaince is in the works if you ask me... you can go to music festivales of all sizes practically every weekend in the summer if you wanted to! I really miss that being here in japan danz

so o11... were you a "tester" again?? danz

Toyota Corolla White don't like it much, but its free! corporate benefits... so I can't really complain...of course I will be carless once I change jobs... who wants to be my driver to the mtns. next year?? danz

from how I see it... I think the younger generation (up to early 20's) seem in general (not as a rule..), uninterested, unmotivated, and a bit immature... most of my good J-friends here are 5-10years older than me, 'cause I can't seem to have very many intelligent/meaningfull conversations with other people my age here... shoganai attitude is still here, but the shoganai attititude of the younger generation is a different beast than that of their parents... my .02 danz

that is one of the dumbest ideas I have ever heard of! Why why why.... I just do not see the logic in that move at all...please say it aint true talisker...you around at all?? how about some info... danz

I usually use no1 travel (www.no1-travel.com) and they always get me great prices...all the agents have excellent english skills, and it really is a no-hassle, painless and pleasant experience...especially when I get the good deals... danz

august is tough man... I can fly to NY round-trip this month for like 35000yen, but by the end of july it jumps to 125000!!! and that is when I got to go back too...sucks danz

hey jared... best time for whitewater is march-may...june is already starting to see the end of big mountain run-off (although up where you are at, it could still last a bit longer...) all rivers in japan are dammed, so for big water, find out when release dates are... but if you are just learning, than summer is the time to get your roll down and paddle technique... its been a looong time since i kayaked...wish I were up there! tone-gawa is looking a bit calm danz

law suits are waaaaay out of hand back home... kamo has some nice examples of the type of bonehead lawsuits in the US... but what worries and infuriates me more are the reactions to our sue-happy culture... doctors are becomming more and more hesitant to perform any type of surgery due to the risk of malpractice suites...which are pricey...that really bothers me... danz

the previews I have seen look terrible... not worth my 1800yen, or however it costs to see a movie in tokyo... danz

monkeys! lots of them... seen them tons of times driving up to tochigi/fukushima (nikko, aizu wakamatu) and also hiking around tenjindaira... monkeys are cool... danz

I remember this beer that came out with a shot of tequila in it...it was called tequiza or something... it was naaaaasty... please, dont mess with my beer! (although flamming dr. peppers are nice...) danz

MistaS... you dig lite beers you are afraid of bugs sure the name isn't Misses Sparkle?? danz

here are my thoughts... If you want to enrich your experience here, than you owe it to yourself to learn the language. I also think it is a nice gesture to make the effort to learn about the language and culture of the country that has agreed to host you. It reflects well on you personally, and where you come from. However, you shouldn't feel pressured to learn it for the sake of learning it, or any other unwritten obligations...no one forces you to do anything... my .02 danz

my dear old gramps is 85 years old and still takes a 2-week trip to aspen every year... amazing...I hope I can do that when I get that age danz

the 2 in the background are way cuter than the one in the front... they need to rethink their photo ops... danz

I agree...most Japanese are incredibly cool-headed... but just watch out when they get into cars! man, I can't believe how many angry faces and gestures I see while driving and alot of times they seem to be directed at me, although I can't for the life of me figure out why danz

I have never met or seen my landlord. Doubt he even exists given the state of disrepair my apt. is in. According to the real-state agent, he is a little bit afraid of gaijin, so I wonder if that has anything to do with it. danz

akibun, What I am asking is if you know what is happening to that money. It is your money afterall, I think you are entitled to know how it is used. If you found out the money was just lining the pockets of some ojii-san who has lived there all his life, would you still be willing to pay?? I do not think it is fiscally responsible to blindly give away your money...that's all... danz p.s. I don't think you are stupid akibun! It is really nice to hear a japanese perspective on alot of the issues we seem to discuss here...I enjoy your posts

this is nothing like taxes...if I understand correctly... do you have a say as to how the money is used in your neighborhood? Have you personally seen the benefits? Do you have a means to voice your opinion? Personally, if I 'HAVE' to dish out 16000 for my little neighborhood (which I thankfully do not), I want to have a say on how it is used... danz

ya baaastards! danz

akibun... 16000 yen of your hard-earned money a year?? what do you think about that...I think its absurd... when I was a young lad living in small town america we used to have block-parties every year...the whole neighborhood would get together, get the police to close a street, and have a big bbq and lots of games for the kids...I used to love those...that is a good way to build a sense of community, and something I missed dearly when I moved to the east coast (and japan...)... danz