lin

Reviewers often make me laugh. They must have all these phrases loaded into a database ready to go. Choose pretentiousness level and off you go!

OK got it! Thanks.

I think that is it, though I never asked. I just went along with it and got some more beers in

Nice photos. What resort is that top middle, Kumapix?

"A lock-in is when the owner of a public house allows a number of patrons to continue staying in the pub after the legal closing time." I remember when I was studying in the UK the local pub had a regular lock in - no-one in no-one out. Fun place that, I miss that pub.

Lots of Hong Kongers go to Japan to ski. Also from Taiwan and Korea as well. Not just Niseko. I think the week of the Chinese New Year you will notice the most.

I'm actually quite looking forward to it. My company is getting me a nice new powerful notebook when Vista is out.

We are all different. But we are friends. Congratulations.

And what does it look like today then?

Not the news we wanted to hear...

I don't like that either. It is the opposite of sexy. I sometimes leave an empty Pringles tube in the cupboard. It's so the girlfriend doesn't realise I've eaten them all in one day. I'll leave it there for 3 or 4 days to make it seem more reasonable and less pig-like.

I see. No donuts in a Mister Donuts bag. That's not good.

Are they department specific or something? Like you know vaguely the kind of thing you'll get - right? (Like cosmetics, or womens clothes, etc)

When they do something like this, it's as if they want to be famous. Very sad.

BOO! I'm determined to organise myself better. I am always having to spend time searching for things that I should have all in a set place. This is the year I will fix that. (Honest).

From the sound of things it sounds pretty miserable right now. Come on snow, get falling will you!!!

That is a good current definition!

Hows the train coming on gamera - do you have it out in winter so the guests can play with it?

Snodeck, in the Asagai area of Naeba is good.

Those school children - is that ski lessons for nearby folk or are they on ski trips? Sounds nice whichever.

Surely there has never been a time when 6th Jan was not OK in Niigata. It would have to be a new record. Anyway it looks like it is snowing there now.

The Sopranos most definitely deserves a mention here. Excellent TV.

Thanks. Would be interested in hearing more numbers too/

Interesting thanks what numbers are they SJ1 where did you get them?

Just out of interest, in general who are the biggest overseas market coming to Japan generally? (Not just ski stuff). Anyone know?