Goemon

Ocean: I am not suggesting that the sumo association should simply crown Konishiki yokozuna; I just don't agree when the sumo association does not allow Konishiki to even compete simply because he is Hawaiian. I will certainly agree that this is a fine line to define, but I think you are denying someone something when you reward someone else for doing the same thing (ie partnering). If you want to bring in the requirement that the partners biologically produce offspring, then that is a different discussion (in my mind). You can argue from a biological process, but you must concede th

I think it's quite simple: For the people who oppose same-sex marriages, just don't marry someone of the same sex. What's all the huff? Why do you care so much what 2 consenting adults are doing? In general, I just don't understand why some people feel the need to regulate other people's lifestyles. For anyone interested in consensual laws (although, primarily focused on the US), I recommend this comprehensive book . The book's main theme is: Quote: You should be allowed to do whatever you want with your own person and property, as long as you don't physically harm the p

Can't we all just get along? Goalkeeper David James did some workouts with the American Football Miami Dolphins here . I think Marshall Faulk or Terrell Owens should follow suit and do some workouts with Chelski. Just for kicks.

Quote: Goemon, are you 'dad' by any chance? No, Sherlock, I am most certainly not! The only sperm I've ever donated has been onto various photos of Daisy Duke and the like.

Fuji Rock for me . Can't wait!

Quote: How are your same sex female couple managing? I suppose they are managing just fine by most standards. They have been in a monogamous relationship for around 10 years and are raising a healthy, soon-to-be 2 year old (who "came about" via artificial insemination). No signs yet if the boy is a deviant or not, but we are watching with trepidation EVERY DAY .

Quote: As for equal rights for homosexual partnerships, they're not equal to heterosexual partnerships in substance, so why should they be so in law? I assume by "substance" you are referring to the ability to procreate naturally and without assistance? Or do you mean something else? Not poking holes or fun, I just want to understand your point. Anyway, if you are going to argue that same-sex partners should not be allowed to marry or raise children because said children are likely to become deviants themselves, then I think you are trying to control (or at least influence) that which

Ocean: Thanks for answering. I won't argue regarding statistical deviancy. Or defectiveness. Regarding same-sex marriage though: if the majority of the people in the society allow for a minority of people to share the same rights that the majority hold...would you tolerate it? Does it really matter if the minority flaunts their deviancy or not? I imagine you are picturing two gay men, both wearing wedding gowns, singing show tunes at the alter and dancing a jig. What about the case where two people just want to be afforded the same legal privelages that opposite-sex partners en

Well, if someone loves their dog, the dog loves that person, and they're not harming anyone with their love (I mean physically harming, not that silly "mental anguish" claim)...what's wrong with them getting married? Ocean: Regarding this statement: Quote: Marriage also suggests a bond that will form the basis of a family, again something only a man and a woman can create. 1. You may not be religious, but doesn't that concept of marriage's purpose stem from religious teachings (albeit more deeply rooted in survival tactics of desert-dwelling, nomadic tribes...)? Shoul

Mai Thai is on the way to Hiroo from the East Entrance of the West Exit of Ebisu Station. Head straight through the intersection where Footnik is located and it'll be on your lefthand side after a few minutes walk...maybe 5 minutes from the station.

MistaS: no news on the renovations at Chiang-Plai; unfortunately, I haven't been back there since then. You might want to try Mai Thai in Ebisu to tide you over in the meantime; they have some good dishes and they have the Thai rock concert videos playing to aid in your digestion.

I thought peppermint oil naturally cools feet? Maybe you could rub some on your feet before heading to work. The sprays suggested by NoFakie may also work as a preventive remedy. Other options: 1. Ice bags in your socks 2. Cut strategically placed holes in the soles 3. Get the image of shoes tattooed on your feet

Good call on Tim Armstrong, Barok! Anyone with a tattoo inside their lip that says "beer" with an arrow pointing in gets extra marks from me. I'd also add Neil Young to the list of people mentioned above. If we're just talking strictly lyrics writing, then I think I'd have to include alot of rap acts like: A Tribe Called Quest De La Soul Biz Markie Mos Def MC Gusto ...

MistaS: I heard da woooo woooo in Tokyo this past weekend!!! Bubba Rubb is in da 'Yo wit da decorations!!!

Quote: Anyone ever flown overseas on ANA or JAL? Mr.*: I've flown JAL once from Tokyo-Singapore and once from Sydney-Tokyo. Service was top notch with lotsa little creature comforts. Mind you, that was business class both times Agree on the previously mentioned Singapore Airlines costumes. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I've been catered to by some fairly tough looking United cabin personnel. Korean Airlines gets a big thumbs down from me, but I only flew them once (Malaysia-Tokyo-NYC,USA). Horrible plane. Horrible service. Horrible movies. Horrible food. Less-than-tantalizin

I think the Anglo-Saxons were on too much mead when they came up with their spelling "rules"...

sanjo: you might have to temporarily change the encoding on your web browser (under "View" in MS Explorer). That should enable you to see the katakana which is causing barok to slowly implode.

Just read about the Dog Island . Anyone seen any news reports on this? I wouldn't be able to send my dog (she's probably too old anyway) and I'm not sure I 100% agree with their philosophy (ie, "dogs are slaves"). But I'd sure like to visit this place sometime to check out the "dog communities". I certainly can agree with the idea to send homeless, shelter dogs here.

Yeah, I've had that experience too. Alot of the times I just nod my head at British friends once they go off on their cockney rant. "uh huh...sure...oh yeah...he was 'stirring another man's porridge'???". It's nice to get back to NJ every now and again, just to let it all hang out on the dialect-tip wit da woooo wooooo! I think my British friends would have an equally hard time understanding me there, among my peeps.

mogski: that's 'cause you have to actually listen to someone in order to understand/misunderstand them...

IceEiji: I think a similar phrase might be "neko ni koban"? I can understand the frustration felt when people on an internet forum cannot do a simple search on the internet...

I'm a morning person, but that may have more to do with the fact that my dog has trained me to wake up when she does (sometimes 5:00am, like this morning). Some problems with this: 1. When I am not there, my dog sleeps in until 10 or 11am 2. Like danz mentioned, nothing is open early in the morning; and everything closes early in the evening too (I'm talking dry cleaners, post office, supermarkets, etc) 3. Getting up early means that I go to work early, typically at my desk before 8:30am, sometimes around 7:30am. BUT if I try to leave the office around 6 or 7pm, I get the "eh, m

Howzabout throwing a few festival-type concerts in there? They don't seem to have stadium concerts in Japan that much, do they?

My girlfriend once lost her keitai on a boat cruise we were taking in Tokyo Bay; she sat on the toilet and her phone slipped out of her pocket and down into the brink. I tried phoning, but no fishies answered. Haven't backed up mine, but I'm sure you can get it done at any of the service stores (DoCoMo shop, etc.).

Yeah, seems as if Britain has had its fair share of surveys too, including the definitive Survey of English Dialects (SED) . There are also some amusing comments in this Survey of British dialect grammar paper including: Quote: The comments that pupils made about different regional accents revealed a very interesting selection of idiosyncratic likes and dislikes, which they justified in equally idiosyncratic ways:... (26) Scousers speak terrible. Apart from that I don't really mind the rest of them except the people from Devon, they're really stuck up.